clown loaches dying

[sharkbait]

PH 7.5
nitites less than 0.25
ammonia nil
My tank was infested with ich when I came back after a week in Wales.
The loaches were sick looking and ill, but water perameters prior to 30% change were as above.
I added the recommended level of ich treatment a week ago. They hid.. and two died yesterday. Did immediate change 25%.

The loaches still have some ich but have a white translucent sheen to parts of their bodies. they seem to be breathing quite fast, but I don't know if that is normal. Could my medication be harming them? Could it be a type of chemical burn?
I'm at a bit of a loss as without ich treatment they all suffer, most of all the loaches, and with it I could be killing them.
I have two left and desperatly want to keep them. I will do another water change tonight if they look no better. I know they're not the easiest fish to look after but they came with the tank.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Stuart

 

[Mamaschild]

Hi sharkbait. That's terrible Clown Loaches are my BABIES, so I really feel for ya.

You say the tank has NitrItes showing? Has it been cycled? If so, there should not be any NitrItes. Do you have a NitrAte test? If so, what was the reading? If this is a mature tank, it's possible something went out of wack and it's doing a mini-cycle. That would explain the NitrItes.

What is the temp of your tank? If it is below 80, you should bring it up SLOOOOOWLY, just a couple degrees a day, until it gets to 80 or 82. This is actually where it should be for Clown Loaches, and Ick does not survive well at that temp, either.

What ick treatment did you use? Most of them say to use a half dose for sensitive fish like Loaches. Did yours? and is that how you dosed? I have only had this with my Clowns once, and I used Jungle Ick Clear fizzy tabs with GREAT success. I treated once, raised the temp (as I was keeping it too low), and all clear in 4 days, with no return or ill effects on any fish.

HTH

 

[sharkbait]

Thanks very much for the reply. They are my absolute favourite fish, so you can imagine the cloud of depression.

You guessed it. its in a mini cycle as I upgraded to a new tank and left the new filter off overnight before I rehoused the kids goldfish. (you live and learn...)
Currently both nitrites and nitrates are zero. but ich remains. (only on the loaches) Normally I treat as soon as the first spot or two have appeared but after a week away I came back and found them covered, head to tail. (perhaps I need to leave better instructions for my fish sitter.)
I dosed at full dosage which cured the other fish with a formaldehyde treatment called anti white spot plus, I followed the instructions which said nothing about half doses for loaches, however I have put in only half this time around.
I have uped the thermostat on the heater and will bring up to 80
they have missing bits of tail fin too. Is this caused by ich?
Stuart

 

[Mamaschild]

Well, it sounds like they may be on the way to recovery I am not sure about the fins. I suppose with a BAD case of ick like you described, fins rotting could happen. Like I said, I have only had to treat mine once, and I caught it early.

Just give them a little time. I find when the fish are nice and healthy, they will repair themselves pretty quick. I had an Angelfish FREAK when I did a water change. He shoved himself under a driftwood and cut his side up pretty good in 3 or 4 places. One week later, you could not even tell he had done it, and I never treated the tank with anything.

The key is CLEAN FRESH WATER So be sure to do your water changes. Especially after your done treating. That will remove any ick cysts from the gravel. The stuff I use (mentioned before) says to do a water change after 4 days, then treat again if necessary. Just be sure to follow the instructions to the letter.

Hopefully you have taken care of it and you will get to enjoy your Clowns for years to come

Oh yeah.....if you have a cycled tank, take the filter media and put some of the bacteria covered floss in this tanks filter. The bacteria will jump to this filter and VIOLA, instant cycle.