advice please - sick clown loach

[xApostle]

first things first. hows the water chemistry?

"big ball of light, spits out dinosaurs" - Mac, Primeval New World

 

[Danno]

fine, although PH is down at 6, is that too low?

 

[xApostle]

should be about 6.5 but I dont think thats the problem. it sounds like a bacterial infection.
try stress coat repair or stress zyme
thats what cured mine

"big ball of light, spits out dinosaurs" - Mac, Primeval New World

 

[Danno]

as previous post ive got salt in, what amount per gal should i add?

 

[xApostle]

hmm. I added 2-3 teaspoons per gallon.

"big ball of light, spits out dinosaurs" - Mac, Primeval New World

 

[evabug1]

I would put it in a quarantine tank if you haven't already and get the salinity up to 3% for starters. Do the standard one teaspoon per gallon for first day, repeat 2nd and 3rd day - that will get you up to 3%. I'm not well versed on ph, but I think it's weird that your ph is low like that. What is your ph out of the tap? You said water parameters are fine, but even still I would do at least a 50% water change in the main tank. Consider vacuuming the substrate if you have any and cleaning out your filter of accumulated debris.

 

[Danno]

ok 1 of my other clowns is starting with the same symptoms, and he has a patch of small red dots on his side, know what this is...?

 

[jabsthetank]

Try cranking the temp up to 85 if you haven't already.

 

[evabug1]

Never seen that personally. If you can post a pic that might help someone identify it, but it sounds bad. Definitely place any loach that is showing symptoms into the quarantine too. Add an air pump with an airstone as well if you up the temp because there will be reduced oxygen.

 

[Danno]

ok fish are in quarentine, and ive added salt.... can i use my marine tank hydrometer to keep an eye on salinity? im presuming the 3 on the scale is 3%?