Clown Loach Problem Help--

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Tropical Joe

Tropical Joe

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 12, 2014
148
81
46
Queens NY
I bought 3 clown loaches 2 weeks ago. Two loaches are 8 inches and one is 5 1/2 inches. The two large ones came from one tank and the smaller one I purchased from and different tank. The stores PH was 7.8 and I acclimated them very slowly with a drip to a tank 6.5 PH. They seemed fine and were not breathing heavy. But the larger two are not eating. So I slowly brought the PH up to 7.0 and they are still not eating. I tried Frozen blood worms,Romain Lettuce, and Zucchini. Temp---is at 78 degrees PH----at 7.0 all other readings are good. HELP What else can I do ??? The only other thing I thought of is to try PraziPro or Metronidazole. Any suggestions I will really appreciate---------
 
Any physical symptoms by any chance? If not, might be intestinal worms, parasites. Prazi and metro w/ higher temperature as a start to help treat whatever is in their bellies is a good idea initially. Pictures would help. Good luck, hope they get better.
 
..... or it just might be that they are still acclimatizing to their new surroundings. Personally I never medicate a fish unless I have a pretty good idea what I am treating for. CL's, especially larger specimens, are notorious for being sketchy when first landed or moved to a new environment. If the fish look full bellied, as in they do not have a sunken stomach, I would hold off on those meds for now.
 
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Tropical Joe Tropical Joe , I purchased a 9"clown last week as well. Very well may have been from the same place you got yours from seeing that you're from New York. Had it shipped to me last Tuesday. I've yet to definitively see it eat. But it is slowly coming out more and becoming more active. I've started feeding in the morning when the tank light is out and just room light since that seems to be when it comes out of hiding the most. I've tried bloodworms, pellets, and cut up shrimp. Definitely nerve wracking to not see them eat..
 
I agree with RD, I believe they are probably just a bit wary and stressed after the relocation. I would just provide them with hiding places, keep the tank's light off, provide some small active, non-shy dithers, and just leave them alone for a week or 2 to feel secure in the new environment. Don't worry, unless their stomach is grossly sunken, they are not going to starve to death.
 
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Well I guess two weeks is not enough for them for acclimate in the new tank. Phew. So yeah, screw the meds for now I suppose and keep observing.
 
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Some fish take a while to eat. My loaches I just bought started to eat and swim and loved their new tank. I have 3 but looking to add another 3 its nice how they school.
 
Ihsnshaik said:
Some fish take a while to eat. My loaches I just bought started to eat and swim and loved their new tank. I have 3 but looking to add another 3 its nice how they school.
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If the OP bought them from the same place I did, I'm quite certain they were wild caught at this larger size. I believe that is the big factor with these ones not settling in as quick.
 
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slippery slimecoat said:
Tropical Joe Tropical Joe , I purchased a 9"clown last week as well. Very well may have been from the same place you got yours from seeing that you're from New York. Had it shipped to me last Tuesday. I've yet to definitively see it eat. But it is slowly coming out more and becoming more active. I've started feeding in the morning when the tank light is out and just room light since that seems to be when it comes out of hiding the most. I've tried bloodworms, pellets, and cut up shrimp. Definitely nerve wracking to not see them eat..
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I thought you said you weren't any clowns couple of weeks ago, that was fast that you gave in.
 
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