sick loach

[TwistedPenguin]

But what about the body fungus? I don't know what else to call it but it looks like he's coated in a layer of cloudy stuff. Could that just be a symptom of him being sick? Like when dogs have worms their coats looks dull?
(Glad you're here, Lupin!)

 

[Lupin]

That doesn't look like saprolegnia to me at all. Perhaps Smartlove can give us more photos of this fish. To me, the fish just went dull due to failing health. In the process, they tend to produce a bit of slimecoat when they feel stressed. I've noticed this with skinny loaches. Has the fish been isolated yet? I'd focus first on his skinny problem. The medicated foods will enable him to resist any health problems.

 

[JakeH]

Nooooo! Don't use Coppersafe. Jake, that stuff's dangerous enough to fish that you shouldn't be using it as a "preventative". Makes no sense.
Smartlove, how long have you had that Loach? We need to determine if it could be ich. If you've had him awhile, has there been any newcomers/plants or snails to the tank? *IF* it's ich we'll have you add salt at 1 TBS/5 g salt and crank the temperaature up to about 87 degrees. But we should determine 1st if it's ich or not. The white spots you describe sound. like it but it almost looks like he's got a fungas on him....? Are the other fish affected yet?
I don't think it's velvet because velvet kills so fast you wouldn't have had time to post about it.

First off, I have another thread where you can share your opinions on CopperSafe. Please post there so we can get more good info in that thread. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254747&highlight=coppersafe I only recommended it because I have personally had very good luck treating my Loaches with it & have experienced zero side effects in 4 months of continuous use.

Now that we have more info, I agree it isnt Ick or Velvet. I dont know what it is, but I would guess some sort of internal parasite. Either way, I dont think I would start adding salt yet. I know my Loaches dont like salt at all... All new Loaches I get are immediately treated with Parasite Clear or API General Cure & this method has worked well when the fish wasn't already too far gone. This guy is looking pretty rough, but a proper quarantine & a stronger IP med like Prazi-Pro or Garlic Extreme could pull him through... Keep us updated & good luck!

 

[smartlove_518]

That doesn't look like saprolegnia to me at all. Perhaps Smartlove can give us more photos of this fish. To me, the fish just went dull due to failing health. In the process, they tend to produce a bit of slimecoat when they feel stressed. I've noticed this with skinny loaches. Has the fish been isolated yet? I'd focus first on his skinny problem. The medicated foods will enable him to resist any health problems.

ok to give you more information on the fish. when i got it 4 months back it was nice and healthy. but now it looks smaller and thinner then it was before.i think it is skinny disease because the fish is eating and swimming normallt.i will try to post more pictures of the fish asap. the skin of the fish has white layers on top of it.even the black bands have lots of white on it.i am going to isolate the fish now. what should be the water temp. and do i need to add salt. i can only get spirohexol tomottow morning now because its 11.30pm out here.

 

[JakeH]

Is the tank water soft & neutral (the way they like it), or is he in hard alkaline water? Are you pumping tons of pH adjusters into the water to raise or lower it? Also, if he was healthy when you bought him then he may have picked it up at the LFS or in your tank. If it was me, I would seperate him for treatment with a strong anti-parasitic food mixture & also treat the whole main tank with something weaker like General Cure or Parasite Clear to kill off any other parasites or eggs. Just my 2 cents...

 

[~ocean]

feed garlic!!!