It's been all quiet and good health in both my tanks for some weeks now; so this morning's discoveries were a jolt to the system. Firstly, I know this isn't primarily considered a tropical fish, but we don't seem to have an emergency section to cover a weather loach. I found my female loach lying on her side this morning, gasping and lethargic. She has no particular outward symptoms to go on; no visible growths or fungus, but maybe a very slight reddening at the base of one pectoral fin. She is five inches long; probably about eight to nine months old, I've had her for five. There is another loach (male) in the tank, around the same age, plus my old goldfish. They both look well. Tank size (coldwater) circa 40 gallons, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10ppm.
Surprisingly, I've never had to medicate a loach before....I've had two in my time, but they seemed to escape all illnesses.
I know loaches don't like salt treatments, so am wondering what to do here.
The other misery was my red-striped dwarf gourami; collapsed at the rear of the warm-water tank, lying on his side. I don't feel I can do anything for him. He moves around like a flounder. Not appeared well for a number of weeks, so I fear something more sinister. All other fish are well, tank readings ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10ppm (recently changed water).
Anyone with a thought on the loach would be helpful. (and indeed the gourami, although I fear he won't be here long).
Surprisingly, I've never had to medicate a loach before....I've had two in my time, but they seemed to escape all illnesses.
I know loaches don't like salt treatments, so am wondering what to do here.
The other misery was my red-striped dwarf gourami; collapsed at the rear of the warm-water tank, lying on his side. I don't feel I can do anything for him. He moves around like a flounder. Not appeared well for a number of weeks, so I fear something more sinister. All other fish are well, tank readings ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10ppm (recently changed water).
Anyone with a thought on the loach would be helpful. (and indeed the gourami, although I fear he won't be here long).
