Update on my skinny clowns and the Levamisole HCl treatment

shari2 · Post by **shari2** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:17 pm

I had a feeling this was becoming a long and painful process for you chefkeith. I think if I was in your shoes, I'd be tired of it too.

You do what will enable you to enjoy your hobby. That's why we do it in the first place.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:32 pm

It turns out that my ill cat has been been eating some of the poisonous cat food that was recalled. I though for sure she was going to die about a week ago, but she is getting better and gaining some weight back. She hasn't vomited since I switched foods and the recall was announced.

shari2 · Post by **shari2** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:26 pm

That's good news on the cat.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:22 am

I'm starting to think clearly again. I haven't taken any pain med's for a few days.

Back to the skinny clowns-
The skinny clown in the q-tank is showing interest in food again. She's not as lethargic anymore either. I'm thinking of putting her back in the refugium.
I really don't think this is a parasitic problem and I still have many doubts that the snails are hosting parasites. I've been breeding these snails for a few years now. I think I'd have more skinny clowns if the snails were infected. Let's remember, I do have 50 clown loaches, all sharing the same waters and eating the same snails.

For review-
I purchased these clowns as a group of 5- 6" clowns from a seller on Aquabid. 2 of them I euthenized because of severe emaciation, 2 are skinny, and 1 is doing fine. They weren't skinny when I got them. I don't remember how much they were eating when I got them. I got them in October of 2005. I was using my 95g for the quarantine period and they didn't showed signs of illness, so I kept them q'd for only about 10 days.

In December of 2005, I got a batch of baby bristlenose Pleco's and a large male Boesemani Rainbowfish from a local breeder. A few of the pleco's died in the quarantine tank the 1st night I got them, I panicked, then for some dumb reason I moved them to my main tanks.

After this move, most of my fish started flashing. I didn't hesitate to treat my main tanks for parasites. I put the Male Boesemani in the main tanks also because I was treating the tanks anyway. I didn't see anything disease outbreaks, so I stopped treatment after about 2 weeks. About a month later, some of my Boesemani Rainbowfish were having Columnaris problems and 2 of my clowns got real skinny. I quarantine all the sick fish.

After a few grueling weeks in quarantine, I euthenized the 2 very emaciated clowns. They would not eat anything.

(The Boesemani rainbowfish were getting better, so I moved some back to the main tanks, but I kept the 2 worst infected Boes quarantined for about 6 months, then I moved them to the refugium for another 6 months. I put them in back in the main tanks just a few weeks ago.)

Some of my clowns were breaking out with black spots and 3 more clowns were showing signs of skinny. Bear with me now. I've discussed in other threads about how I think TDS drops from water changes causes black spots and osmotic shock. I've also recently found out that excess iron in the water column will greatly increase baterial populations. I'm thinking mild osmotic shock & the Iron Fertilizers I was dosing (for the plants) triggered the Columnaris problems with the Boesemani and caused an internal bacterial infection to the finicky skinny clown loaches.

So why did my clown get skinny again? Fact- The fungus (columnaris?) it had on it's barbel's kept it from eating. What caused this? Probably a water quality issue. My water changes are smaller during the cold Winter months because the water heater get's cold quick. I should reduce feeding, but I haven't. I just checked the nitrates and they are higher than normal right now. I want them to be about 15, but it is in the 30-40 range. Not a wonder.

I need to increase the water change frequency to atleast 2x per week during when the weather is cold like this.

Also I really need to get these skinny clowns to start eating prepared foods.

So here's my plan-
I'll go shopping Today for some fresh foods so I can make a small batch of Martin's Loach Recipe with the gelatine. I'll keep trying new recipes and hopefully I find one she likes. If she does start eating this, then I'll slowly incorporate some staple foods into the recipe.

The other skinny clown in the main tank is doing so so. She's a little thinner, but she's starting to get use to competing for food with the others. I don't think she's eating the staple foods, but she's getting a share of the clams and shrimp I feed them.

shari2 · Post by **shari2** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:49 am

Sounds like a good plan. Here's hoping it all works out and she starts eating.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:02 pm

Good news, bad news.
The skinny clown loach that I moved to my main tanks has been showing interest in staple foods lately and has been chowing down on cucumber alot. This is the 1st time he's eaten any vegetable matter since I got him 1.5 years ago. He's getting a daily portion of shrimp also. He's very active now, and isn't getting pushed around by other clowns, like he was when he went back to the main tanks. This is actually great news, not just good, but GREAT.
Here's a pic, he's the clown in the lower right-

The other skinny clown that I've been treating in a Q-tank is still in the q-tank. He had a relapse with the fungus on the barbels and is in the middle of another treatment with antibotics. As soon as the fungus clears up, I'll move him to refugium. He is still very skinny, but I think the water quality in the main tanks will help. I installed a continuous drip water change system about a week ago.

Keith Wolcott · Post by **Keith Wolcott** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:23 pm

Good news! It looked pretty bad for those two earlier, but you may get them back to health yet.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:21 pm

The skinny clown in the Q-tank will be put down sometime in the next 24 hours. I'll start preparing a Clove Oil bath soon.

This clown hasn't bounced back from the relapse. Right now, he's hovering at the top of the tank near the surface. He's not gasping for air on anything, it looks more like a swim bladder problem. Water quality is rather good. He hasn't been eating and has been getting more skinny.

I've treated him 2x with antibiotics for the fungus, 2x with levamisole, and 1x with prazipro since I put him in quarantine about 6 weeks ago.

The skniny clown in the main tank is doing real good. He's coloring up nicely since he started eating veggies a few weeks ago.

to be continued.......

LoachOrgy · Post by **LoachOrgy** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:55 pm

sad to hear.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:46 pm

Boiled 30 whole cloves in some water for about 20 minutes. Let it cool down for 40 minutes. Moved clown to small tank with about 1" of water.

Added clove water. clown is now sleeping.

Sweet dreams fella. The next loachy dance will be for you.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:05 pm

Clowns were marching in from every tank corner Today.

I've never seen so many clowns show up at the same place at once.

All to show Tribute to our friend named "Scurvy". May he rest in peace.

Graeme Robson · Post by **Graeme Robson** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:13 pm

R.I.P. Scurvy

Keith Wolcott · Post by **Keith Wolcott** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:20 pm

Sorry to hear that Scurvy did not make it.

Your clowns look healthy and beautiful. I like the large group.

shari2 · Post by **shari2** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:06 am

You did your best with Scurvy. And his death was humane. RIP.

Beautiful flotilla of clowns you have there, and glad to hear the other guy is perking up.

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Update on my skinny clowns and the Levamisole HCl treatment

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