Problem with Clowns

[Mark6rules]

My A/C failed this week for four days, and the temp in my aquarium rose from its normal 78 degrees to as high as 89. I twice lowered the temp 2 degrees by partial water changes; the temp is now down to 80, but I noticed this evening that my clown loaches all have dark patches on their fins and their mouths, and they seem to be acting funny, almost running into objects. Is this a parasitic or fungal infection? Help!:eek:

Thanks,
Doug

[OrionGirl]

Dark patches sounds like a color change--very normal reaction. Fungus (actually bacteria, fungus is not often seen) is usually light colored, and looks like the fish has cotton stuck on it, rather than the skin being normal texture. Parasites don't usually cause color changes, either, though they may cause bumps and lumps, or red discoloration around an entry/exit wound.

As long as they are behaving normally and feeding, it sounds like they are okay. Most fish can and will change color, especially if the conditions change rapidly.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I would reccomend putting some ice in a few bags and letting them float in your tank the next time something happens and the tank starts to get too warm. I did that last night. My tank was around 82 degrees and I put two bags of ice in it. I took them out like 15 minutes later when the ice melted. In the morning, the temp was a little over 79, so I did it again in the morning. Just keep doing that until it's the temperature you want it to be.

[Tightdog1]

freeze water in ballons and put the ballons into the tank works really well.