Clown Loach Issue

[elevatethis]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes.

I've got 2 clown loaches, I notice white specks sticking to them, and I know you are probably thinking right now that its ick. Its not ick, I think they are more like air bubbles that are sticking to them. Anyone else experience anything like this? Sometimes they are just covered in white specks, then be gone when I come back to the tank 10 mins later. Whats up with this?

 

[toxicfish]

I have never seen air bubbles stick to a fish

 

[shookONES]

I have never seen air bubbles stick to a fish

ditto.

I think it's ick.

 

[elevatethis]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure thats what it is now.

Half-dose ick treatment for clowns, right???

 

[shookONES]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure thats what it is now.

Half-dose ick treatment for clowns, right???

You got it.

 

[Miles]

Do you do water changes with a python?

Do you keep the python above the water level?

Did you notice a mass of tiny micro-bubbles covering everything including fish and decor?

This could cause Ich, it has happened to me.

 

[Vince]

Clown loaches are very susceptible to ick or fungus.

 

[guppy]

I would treat for ick, if it is mites the salt will kill them too but loaches are very prone to ick and it wont hurt to salt them, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt per gallon, mid 80s F. temp. for 10 days, You could probably use 2 teaspoons/gal of salt but there is some debate on how sensitive the loaches are to salt. 1/2 strength on commercial meds for scaleless fish.

 

[elevatethis]

Thanks guys, here's what I've done so far:

Removed carbon section from the power filter
Raised temp to about 84 degrees
Salted the tank (not sure how much but I slowly added a small handful of solar salt throughout the day, a little at a time)
Hit the tank with 5 drops of quick-cure (formalin and malachite green)

We'll see what happens, I've gotten pretty attached to those little guys. I'll keep yall updated.

"an ounce of prevention...." Any word on keeping this from coming back????

 

[elevatethis]

Do you do water changes with a python?

Do you keep the python above the water level?

Did you notice a mass of tiny micro-bubbles covering everything including fish and decor?

This could cause Ich, it has happened to me.

I do a 20% water change weekly with a gravel vac. And yes, I do notice many tiny micro-bubbles floating around the tank. Whats up with that?