Loaches Online Forum

Hi there,

I have been having problems with my Kuhlii population for some while now.
I seen to be losing one every couple of weeks or so.
Every body I find seems to have injuries in de anal region.
There are several species of Kuhlii in there, all of wich seen to be bothered the same way.
(P. Anguillaris, P. Oblonga, P. Kuhlli, P, Myersi and P. Alternans. All species have at least 3 mates)

This led me to believe there would be a worm problem.
However the loss continues after 2 treatments from one deworming medicin and another treament from another deworming medicin, and a broadband medicin treatment (weeks apart in case your wondering)
The strange thing is that no other fish in the tank seems to have the same problem, they are all fat, well coloured and active. (so are the kuhlli's strangely)

I change about 35 to 50% of the water every week.
The tank is running on two well established large filters (the current is not to high)
The other inhabitants are:
2 Diamond Gourami's
2 Dozen of Rasbora galaxy
1 Britstlenose
3 B. Histrionica (wich will be leaving soon as I finally have a bigger tank for them)
5 Hara Hara/Hara Jerdoni (can't remember but I have both)

I can't give you exact water parameters, but I know they are well withing Kuhlli tolerance. (phosphate could be lower, but nothing fish treatening)

I am starting to suspect the Histi's from taking pot shots at the little kuhlii's instead of it being a desease/parasite.
Could that be it???

After treating with the meds that you have done, it does sound like you have taken care of whatever internal parasites these guys could have had, so yes, it is looking more like some other fish is attacking them.

However, what are the active ingredients in the medicines you used?
Did any of them have to be repeated? Often a medicine will only kill one phase of a parasite's life cycle, and needs to be repeated to fully treat the problem.

I can not remember the active ingredïents of the meds.

The fist med had to be repeated after a week, I did that.
This med made the water white cloudy.
(this med I have tried twice, at least 2 months apart)

The other med had to be repeated as well, and also required the tank to be darkened, both of wich I did.
This med made the water very very green for quite a while (malachiet???).

The last med was EshA2000, a broadband med.
I don't think this does anything because the parasites (if any) might have resistance to this med (so I have been told).

I think I have tried to poison my fish quit enough
So I don't think there is any weird stuff like diseases or parasites
Especially because the other fish are quite healty.

Sounds like you have used enough medicines.
If you have seen any aggression in the fish, then separating the Kuhlies, or removing the aggressive fish is probably the next move.

I have not seen any fighting, that's not to say they never could.

The fighting I do see is species specific.
My gourami's are married (one day they make love, the other day they try to kill each other)
My Histi's are snapping at each other every so ofter.

I am saving up money to get my bigger tank up and running (eheim is expensif)
So I can move the big fish out in a few months (de histi's and Britlenose are moving)
I am also thinking of getting a smaller species of gourami, but that depends on me finding a good home for the diamonds.

I guess it is just a waiting and hoping thing by now.