CL HITH???

[David R]

I recently moved my largest 7 CL's from my 80g (which they shared with 14 other smaller CLs) to my 160g with the green aro, ornate, etc. The tank is fairly new, but established and with good water, regular changes, pH ~6.8 and at 27C. About a month after moving them I noticed some strange white markings on one of the loaches (around 10cm) and isolated it thinking it was the onset of a whitespot epidemic which I certainly didn't want to spread to the other big loaches (the largest is about 18cm). Since then the spots have developed into what looks like hole in the head disease (see pic). I've never heard of it before in loaches, and the fish had a good varied diet which they have all had for years (frozen shrimp, hikari cichlid gold, shrimp pellets, courgette, bloodworms, etc). The fish is still isolated in a bare bottom 20g, and I've been doing daily 15% water changes, temp is at 28C.

Does anyone know what it is, and how I can treat it? All the other loaches are fine, and I've moved the other 6 back to the 80g (which will be upgraded to a larger dedicated CL tank in the new year).

 

[Lupin]

Are you sure the loach didn't just scrape itself badly on anything? Was there a big difference in water chemistry between two tanks? If so, how did you acclimate the fish? I have never heard of HITH on loaches before. That is very strange. What does this particular fish eat?

On the other hand, for future reference about ich, isolation is pointless. Once it happens, treat the whole tank including those who do not have the spots yet.

 

[David R]

Are you sure the loach didn't just scrape itself badly on anything? Was there a big difference in water chemistry between two tanks? If so, how did you acclimate the fish? I have never heard of HITH on loaches before. That is very strange. What does this particular fish eat?

Diet is mentioned above. It certainly didn't look like scrapes, they looked kinda like spots that developed into the craters. The fish was transferred directly from the 160g to the 20g, because I had filled it to 80% with water from the 160g so no acclimatisation was needed (topped off with 20% fresh after the fish was transferred and settled).

My theory behind moving it was based on the fact that the other fish were all healthy, and I figured it would be better to get that fish out of the big tank before the spots multiply and release. It made sense to me at the time...

 

[ewurm]

I have never heard of HITH in clown loaches. I don't believe it to be common in the species but based on your photo I have to agree with your assessment. They have a lateral line and sensory pits, so it is possible for them to get it. I would start treating just like I would for a Cichlid. Buy some Omega One sinking pellets and double your water changes.

 

[David R]

I would start treating just like I would for a Cichlid. Buy some Omega One sinking pellets and double your water changes.

What are Omega One pellets? I don't think they're available here.
If it is HITH should I keep it in isolation or put it back with the pack?

 

[ewurm]

What are Omega One pellets? I don't think they're available here.
If it is HITH should I keep it in isolation or put it back with the pack?

HITH is not something that is transmittable. Omega One is the only company that uses whole fish as a base, instead of using fish meal.

http://omegasea.net/home.html

In my opinion the healthiest diet available for fish.

 

[David R]

Someone on Loaches.com has recommended treating with Metronidazole, is that a good idea, or should I put it back with the school, keep the water clean and the diet healthy and hope for the best?

 

[ewurm]

Someone on Loaches.com has recommended treating with Metronidazole, is that a good idea, or should I put it back with the school, keep the water clean and the diet healthy and hope for the best?

While I respect the loach fanatics on that site, I firmly believe that HITH is caused by dietary and/or water quality issues. Keep the water pristine, keep the diet top notch, and you'll see results.

 

[David R]

The only place I can get metro from here is the vet, and I'm taking the cat their tonight to get its shots before going into a cattery for xmas, so I'll ask them. If I can't get it then I'll put it back in the tank and hope for the best. If I can't get the omega one, is there anything that I should add/remove from the diet mentioned in the first post?

 

[ewurm]

The only place I can get metro from here is the vet, and I'm taking the cat their tonight to get its shots before going into a cattery for xmas, so I'll ask them. If I can't get it then I'll put it back in the tank and hope for the best. If I can't get the omega one, is there anything that I should add/remove from the diet mentioned in the first post?

Nope. Actually your diet looks very good.