Very sick Loach after Escaping! NEEDS HELP!!

[Flotsam&1Jetsom]

Hello People,

This is the first time I have ever used a forum and I hope someone replies and helps me.

One of my weather loaches escaped for 26hrs and disappeared off the face of the planet. Turns out she had jumped down behind the dresser javascript:emoticon(':shock:'). She has been in the tank for about a week and a half now but I'm really worried.

Her tail fin has dropped off, her barbels have gone and her skin has turned very very pale in patches. I have seen her eat occasionally but she is mainly just hiding and never comes out, which is very unlike her at all.

What can I do? Will she be ok?

I have looked all over the web and know one else seems to had this problem after their loaches have escaped. I realise she was out of water for a long time.

[Gary Mck]

There have been a few posts of late rederring to jumpers being out of the water for a long time, your fish seems to be in real bad shape, I am amazed he is still hanging in there.

I just built a new lid for my 65 so absolutly nothin can get out. Even has lids which keep the filfter lids in place as I have heard loaches can fly through there, knock the lid off and make it out. I had some tiny holes that the neon tetras used to get through and those little guys don't survive more than an hour out of water. Used to lose 1 a week.

[Flotsam&1Jetsom]

Yeah she is very lucky to stil be alive. I don't think she will be for long though

My lid is completely jump proof. We recon she got out when we opened the lid to introduce some newbies. We left it open for about an hour whilst the bags were in the water and I recon she wiggled out then.

[emi-chan]

[plaalye]

Keep your water as clean as you can, frequent smaller water changes. Are there any bothersome fish that may cause problems by nipping at wounds? Hope it will heal itself, good luck!

[Hokum]

I'd recommend a light treatment of anti bacterial's not antibiotics or anything which would hit the filter as you need as clean water as possible.

Ektol crystals may do the job, a half dosage, it'll help the skin and assist the breathing.

[Flotsam&1Jetsom]

Ah thats cool. I have never heard of Ektol Cristals. I will have to invest in some. I'll add them and see what happens. Thank you very much

As for bothersome fish i have no probelms with that. Another weather loach (who doesn't cause any trouble), platys and minnows. And they all leave each other alone.

[starsplitter7]

Good luck. I've had some miracle jumpers. I had a yoyo escape and I didn't know it, until I stepped on it. Ekk! I am grateful he is none worse for wear, and has been with me over a year after that awful day.

I agree with above. Keep your loach stress free, clean water away from anyone that might pick at it. That fish has a will to live.