Melsker
02-25-2004, 08:36 PM
Hi Everyone,
In my large tank I have 4 clown loaches, among other things. They were all the same size when I purchased them but that has changed considerably. One, which I lovingly refer to as "Pudge," has gotten huge compared to the others, two are of average size, and one is rather small. When food is placed in the tank the smallest one still feeds in a normal manner like the others. Although I am not sure exactly how much food he is actually getting but he definitely trys. He will also school with the others on occasion but not all the time. I noticed about two weeks ago that he has places above/behind the eyes/head that appear to be "sunken-in" as if he were lacking flesh in those areas (depressions but not open wounds). We have had the group of loaches about a month and he seemed perfectly fine in the beginning. Does anyone know what this could be?? And what I could do to help him??
About a week ago and for a period of about 4 days the depressions were less noticeable and I thought we were maybe out of the woods with him but they have since gotten worse again. He also seems to be hanging out by the heater in the tank a lot more the last day or two. Again he still swims with the others and appears to be eating.
I have considered a number of things. Even though he seemed normal for about a week after purchasing him, he may have been underfed at the LFS and as a result is having a hard time eating and digesting the food that I present to him. Secondly, given the fact that "Pudge" is a pig, he may be stopping the little guy from even getting the food he needs. I have also read something about internal parasites but don't know if that could even be a possibility in this case and know very little about what the symptoms could be in that situation.
One other thing and sorry this got so long. I do not have much for a quarantine tank but have considered taking him out of the big tank and putting him in a separate one to make sure he is getting adequate food and maybe to treat him if it isn't too late. However, the only tank that I have available is a ONE gallon, BUT it has a state-of-the-art filtration system on it in that it has a carbon filter and a small bio-wheel (similar to an Eclipse system) on it.
What do you all think?? Any insight and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the information in advance,
Melanie :( :nervous: :nervous:
In my large tank I have 4 clown loaches, among other things. They were all the same size when I purchased them but that has changed considerably. One, which I lovingly refer to as "Pudge," has gotten huge compared to the others, two are of average size, and one is rather small. When food is placed in the tank the smallest one still feeds in a normal manner like the others. Although I am not sure exactly how much food he is actually getting but he definitely trys. He will also school with the others on occasion but not all the time. I noticed about two weeks ago that he has places above/behind the eyes/head that appear to be "sunken-in" as if he were lacking flesh in those areas (depressions but not open wounds). We have had the group of loaches about a month and he seemed perfectly fine in the beginning. Does anyone know what this could be?? And what I could do to help him??
About a week ago and for a period of about 4 days the depressions were less noticeable and I thought we were maybe out of the woods with him but they have since gotten worse again. He also seems to be hanging out by the heater in the tank a lot more the last day or two. Again he still swims with the others and appears to be eating.
I have considered a number of things. Even though he seemed normal for about a week after purchasing him, he may have been underfed at the LFS and as a result is having a hard time eating and digesting the food that I present to him. Secondly, given the fact that "Pudge" is a pig, he may be stopping the little guy from even getting the food he needs. I have also read something about internal parasites but don't know if that could even be a possibility in this case and know very little about what the symptoms could be in that situation.
One other thing and sorry this got so long. I do not have much for a quarantine tank but have considered taking him out of the big tank and putting him in a separate one to make sure he is getting adequate food and maybe to treat him if it isn't too late. However, the only tank that I have available is a ONE gallon, BUT it has a state-of-the-art filtration system on it in that it has a carbon filter and a small bio-wheel (similar to an Eclipse system) on it.
What do you all think?? Any insight and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the information in advance,
Melanie :( :nervous: :nervous: