Clown Loach

[SManson83]

I recently had a clown loach die on me, it was only young and I wondered if anyone can shed any light on what could have been the cause.

It suddenly started floating vertically and I noticed it had a red patch from under it's throat down to about half way under its belly. Any ideas?

 

[loachman]

the usual questions...

water stats?
tank age?
size?
occupants?
fish age?
etc.

 

[SManson83]

water stats - Not got them all to hand, but have had all tests done on water and it's fine
tank age - about 4 months
size - 100 litre
occupants - 4 mollys, gold dotted pleco, 1 other loach,
fish age - i've had it a month or so, not sure of exact age, but it was about 3 inch long

 

[Lynda B]

For the safety of your other fish, you need to purchase an API test kit (the drops) so that you can always know what your water stats are. You can't depend on having to bring a water sample somewhere in the event of an emergency. We take tests multiple times per week, if we sense a problem. I just can't imagine running out to the lfs each time we need to know what our water's doing.

 

[PRW1988]

I've noticed with clown loaches that they are very sensitive, did you by any chance add any medicine to the tank recently? I've read that clown loaches begin to slowly die when a tank is dosed medically.

 

[nurglespuss]

Also some of the dechorinating formulae are quite hars in reality, the sensitivity of the loaches skin can result in toxic shock if the water has not been left to stand long enough...

As for water testing, buy a cheap strip test, its all I've used for years. do this regularly until your tank is established (a year or so) then this can become less regular as you become totally familiar with your tank. I don't believe in constantly testing/tweaking water conditions.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

I reccoment liquid tests. They last for over a year. The test strips will last you for a month and are two times as expensive and half as accurate. Also what your LFS tells you is fine isn't always as good as you might think. Definately get your own test kit.