They scratch even after I've changed the water. Within one week They had "the disease"(some wierd bacterial infection, looks like pimples), fungus, ich, and gill disease. I already lost one to gill flukes I think. His body looked sunkened in but his stomach was fat. I treated with salt and heat and meds for gill parasites. Went away but they still scratch. One is in a 29g and the other 2 are in a 10 temporarily. They all scratch. I'm really worried. This is why I think they are sensitive. I used to think that they were hardy because I kept one with my oscar and took some damage but always held its own. But from recent events I maybe wrong. I cant wait for my filter to get here. I will put all 3 in the 55. Maybe tall drift wood, sand, heater and background. My dats are about 6".
i currently have 12 dats in my 60 gal tank with an xp3 filter and a powehead aquaclear 30 for air and water circulation bare bottom. hardy fish... yes i agree. i do water changes straight from the tap water with titration on stress coat meds. they eat like hell. 36 feeders in less than 10 minutes. i believe they are not as sensitive as other fishes. i had kept exotic plecos and they are hard to keep healthy. don't know why. but i find dats as nice and tough fish but not to abuse them.
