Weather Loach Problem

DaisyTattoo

DaisyTattoo

AC Members
Jan 11, 2006
1,395
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Illinois
My parents recently gave me their 55g tank along with all its occupants. This includes a weather loach. He has been having trouble swimming. He looks as if his belly is carrying him upward to the top of the tank. He will just be floating with his belly at the top of the water and his head and tail hanging. He cant seem to get himself in the proper position. He is still eating. and My parents said he didnt do this when they had the tank. I think he is 4 or 5 years old. He is about 6 inches long. I really like him and he is my favorite fish in the tank. I have tried feeding him peeled frozen peas, but he doesnt eat them. The ghost shrimp LOVE them though. PLEASE HELP!
 
IME With loaches like your friend there is that there is somthing wrong with his swim bladder. you can either wait till it gets hopefully better or I dont know what else could be wrong with the little fella. though for being 4-5 years he should be longer then he is now.. you sure that he's that old?
 
What's the water temperature? Most people don't realize it, but weather, or dojo loaches are actually coolwater fish with a temperature range of 68-76*. If he's being kept on the high side of his range, it could be why he's so small and why he's finally having problems.

Most of the places where I've read up on them recommend 70-72* for dojos.

See if you can quarantine him in a tank with the heat as same as where he is, then turn the heater off and let it cool down naturally.

It can't hurt him and if anything, it might help him.

Roan
 
The tank was at 72 degrees for a couple of weeks and he was still acting the same way. I asked my parents how old he is and they said he is closer to 3 years old. He may be a little bigger than 6 inches, but i didnt measure him. I have tried the peas, but I cant get him to eat them. And what is swim bladder anyway? What causes it? What are the odds that it will go away? He really looks like he is uncomfortable and I dont want him to suffer. I would hate to euthanize him if he is saveable though.
 
well the swim bladder is what controlles them in the water, ie floating and sinking and staying up right, unfortunatly swim bladder has been a killer and i believe there is no cure for it but you could try the salt method, i think i have heard something about swimbladder and the salt treatment.
 
I am using fresh frozen peas with the shells removed and he seems to know they are there and he eats around them, but he wont eat them. I have 1 tsp per 5 gallons of salt in my tank now for a violet goby that my boyfriend brought home b/c walmart told him it was a freshwater fish so the LFS told me to put the salt in and he(violet goby) should do okay. By the way, the violet goby is doing very well in my tank.
 
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