sick dojo loach0- currently no answers

[rabidweasel09]

I have two dojos in a ten gal ( soon will be upgrading to 20 or 30) with razboras, neons, 1 pleco and a few kuhlis. One dojo loach is perfectly healthy, the other is not. The sick one appears shriveled and emaciated looking ( almost like the opposite of dropsy), however I have seen him eat. Unlike the healthy dojo, the sick one stays on the bottom and swims far less than its healthy counterpart. I asked a "specialist" at petsmart and according to the symptoms i gave, she had no idea what the issue could be. Since the other fish, especially the healthy dojo, show no signs of illness, I'm thinking that it could be the result of a genetic disorder or something similiar, but I'm still not convinced and too worried just to leave it at that.

If any one can give me some advice or help, it would be greatly appreciated

[rabidweasel09]

Could it be chronic wasting syndrome? what can i do for that

I have anti-bacteria fish food, should i quarantine him and use that?

[raecarrow]

I've never had dojos but I would quarantine him anyway.

[Diana]

Ditto, chronic wasting, AKA Skinny Disease.
This is not a disease caused by a specific 'bug', but a symptom of a couple of things.
Most often it is an internal parasite and a bacterial infection. Have a look around here for more info, I will try to link an article or two.
The problem may be complicated with an infection of Mycobacteriosis.

Treatment for parasites and bacterial disease (not Mycobacteriosis) has been Levamisol (worming agent) alternated with antibiotics. I think Levamisol is not so easily available, but if you can find some use it.
Other wormers work fine, too. I have used Prazi-pro and dog wormer (piperazine) and I have used Jungle's medicated food.

An antibiotic such as Maracyn combined with Maracyn II is good, or there are others. (Kanamycin, combined sulfas, others)
Sometimes certain meds are listed as treating Mycobacteriosis, but there is some question if it really helps. Adding an Ultra violet sterilizer can help. (Do not combine the ultra violet with medication, the UV may deactivate the meds)

All the fish in the tank have been exposed to the parasites and the bacteria. I would treat the whole tank.

http://www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/l ... chloride-1

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ic+wasting

[rabidweasel09]

I've started using some antibacterial food and it appears (im using this word very loosely) that he is improving. A friend of mine also had a battle with CWS and said JPC did the trick.

Would other people also recommend it?