Theory on internal parasites in clown loaches.

[LobstersGoPeenchPeench]

i know im gettin a little off topic but i agree js302 on the planted tank situation because i currently have my first planted tank and my fish growth rates are off the charts

 

[ewurm]

i like the theory.

it emphasizes how important and beneficial live foods and 'natural' protein consumption can be. I think the digestive system parasites may be unable to support the change in their environment considering all the snail matter they are now exposed to. Consider also the water chemistry differences existing in a planted tank in comparison to the transport conditions and previous shipping conditions.

i recon there are unknown benefits (trace compounds) to living in a planted tank in the first place anyway.

i know im gettin a little off topic but i agree js302 on the planted tank situation because i currently have my first planted tank and my fish growth rates are off the charts

That may very well be another good point. I've never seen any evidence that fish are more healthy living in a planted tank, but they live in a planted environment naturally so who knows. Could just be that the plants consume some of the nitrogenous waste, which means keeping a clean tank would eliminate that need. That, or there may actually be some added benefit from the plants that hasn't been scientifically shown. That would be an interesting experiment: Growth rates in planted vs. Non-planted tanks.