Kuhli hanging out at top of tank

[lizard]

Hiya.

My remaining Kuhli Loach (found the other dead this morning) seems to like to sit near the top of the tank sometimes. His favorite spot seems to be on top of the algae magnet. If I disturb him, sometimes he'll swim around the top of the tank, and either go sit on the Giant Val. leaves near the top or will go down to the bottom of the tank and hide. Is this normal Kuhli behavior? I did see him doing this yesterday, before the other one died. I did a water change today and all other tank inhabitants are doing well. This Kuhli doesn't look sick or anything.

Thanks for advice/suggestions/whatever

Edit: Here a picture Makes my tank look really dirty, 'cause of the flash and 'cause it's so close up. Yikes!

Oh, and I know Kuhlis prefer to be in groups. I had a second one, and he died. I'm planning to get one or few more tomorrow

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[lizard]

Upon closer inspection tonight, as the Kuhli was out eating, he appears to have little grains of sand on his back. I can't tell if it's sand from him digging around in the substrate, or if he has ich (or something else). I'd guess that if it's sand it would fall off when he moved. Therefore, I'm thinking it's ich. <sigh> Unless there's some other "sand granule"-looking thing fish get... I *really* don't want to treat the whole tank for ich, but will if I have to, of course. Really, I'd rather just keep the temp up and see if that'll do the trick. What do you all think? Anyone else treat ich without using meds?

Perhaps getting new fish will have to wait a week. How unexciting

Thanks.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[Chris Allan]

Could it be velvet??? I think its usually a bit smaller than ich and is yellow looking.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.


Hope the little fella is ok.


Chris

 

[lizard]

I didn't notice the little spots on him today He's still acting fine - goes and sits up on the algae magnet sometimes. I got him a buddy today

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[Wisperian]

I really hope he's okay! Kuhlies are my favorite! What kinda buddie did you get him?

 

[lizard]

I really hope he's okay! Kuhlies are my favorite! What kinda buddie did you get him?

His buddy is another striped Kuhli. They've been hanging out together

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[smithrc]

we have 3 monsters in our 30gal...
they hide in our java fern 3/4 of the way up the tank

Saw approx 50 very small wiggly kholis in our lfs over the weekend and they were all hanging out in the jave too.

odd hangouts seem normal.

 

[Smiffy]

We have 3 little Kuhlies in our 20gal and one of them has made his home in the filter!
He seems to be ok in there, just have to be careful when we change the filter.
Anything other than this to worry about?
Rob