Clown Loaches with "beatup" skin?

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wg666666

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 20, 2009
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Philly
Hi everybody, I have a school of 6 clown loaches in my 220 gallon that I have had together for about 2 years. They are between 4 and 6 inches long. Tankmates are a Jardini Arrowana (total wimp!) a red tail black shark, a bala shark, 3 silver dollars, 2 salvinis and a "tiger loach". Recently the "tiger loach" has become particularly aggressive to everything in the tank, circling and "clicking" his fellow inhabitants. A few of the clowns appear to have rubbed spots on their skin, looking like they got scratched. AFter I noticed and did some research on the tiger, the tiger loach was removed. My question is, Is it common for Tigers to scrape or hurt other loaches, and now that he is gone, will the scraped skin heal OK or should I add salt? Also, two of them are breathing heavy....all params OK, PH = 7.0, ammonia = 0.0, etc.

Thanks!
 
Yep. Tigers are pretty vicious. I'm sure a little salt would help, but check the freshwater disease section for confirmation before you add any. Quarantine would be good if you have a spare tank...
 
I had the exact same thing happen, I got rid of the tiger loach and a few weeks later all my clown loaches looked fine again. Don't add salt as clowns don't have scales that will make things worse. They heal really well from what I've noticed, so allow them a week or two before you do anything, because if your water is as good as you say it is, their immune system can take care of the abbrasions.
 
JakeH;3756027;3756027 said:
Yep. Tigers are pretty vicious. I'm sure a little salt would help, but check the freshwater disease section for confirmation before you add any. Quarantine would be good if you have a spare tank...
Click to expand...
This guys a tool. This is the only down side to these forums. You get people giving out advice all willy nilly.
Definitely DO NOT add salt. As the other reply stated this will only make things worse or kill them.
I don't know anything about the Tiger Loach or behaviors but I wish you the best of luck with your boys.
 
WOW! Loachin, you've got some brassies. Such a bold satement.

Salt is not going to kill the loaches, how else do you get rid of ick?

Relax and go read up on Tigers.
 
Wow. I just sent that dude a "welcome" PM before I read this! He sounds like he knows plenty, but probably spent too much time on the loach.com forums. Those guys are complete d*%ks to each other.

I personally never use salt in my loach tanks, but I suggested it because many people have great success with it. I've used CopperSafe for over a year & had zero ick with no side effects, but I don't recommend it "all willy nilly" because many people dont trust it or won't be careful enough with it. I'm sure Loachin will have something to say about that, too...
 
Loachin;3764707; said:
This guys a tool. This is the only down side to these forums. You get people giving out advice all willy nilly.
Definitely DO NOT add salt. As the other reply stated this will only make things worse or kill them.
I don't know anything about the Tiger Loach or behaviors but I wish you the best of luck with your boys.
Click to expand...

:popcorn:

I do salts to my catfish tanks and had a massive group of 100 3'' clowns that I treated with salts with no issues :naughty:

so am I a tool like that guy that you just said was a tool?
 
alright maybe i came on a little strong because the only other time i was in a chat i got some bad advice. And from everything i've read you do not want to add salt as a remedy for ich in a tank with loaches because they are scaleless and very sensitive. Maybe -- no, obviously -- it has been used successfully. I think it might be a little extreme tho. I've had success raising the temp to 86 or 87, increasing aeration and upping my water changes (frequency and value). And I think this is a safer route.

You guys all want me to go hang out with the *#)$'s at Loach.com but I think we can learn a lot from eachother. So come on how bout given me another shot...
 
You did come out of the gates a little aggresive....

But I think all is well.
 
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