View Full Version : Clown loach question
nanguz
02-23-2007, 11:20 AM
I have a really big clown loach. He is about 7 inches now. I noticed what looks like his slime coat coming off. Do loaches shed thier slim coats at times? I have never seen this before.
Thanks.
Malefic23
02-24-2007, 9:04 AM
That does'nt sound normal. Check your water parameters, including the acidity. Also, let's get a temp reading and hardness reading. Clown loaches are "scaleless" fish so are a bit more sensitive to water conditions than some other species.
Also, anything in the tank that could be irritating tender skin? Sharp gravel, sharp rocks... If he's over producing slime, he's irritated by SOMETHING in that tank.
thadius65
02-24-2007, 9:22 AM
This is odd, I am going through something similar. 3 of my 4 clowns (4") appear to have a milky sheen to their skin. One the other day had what appeared to be some peeling off at the back. Very, very thin. I posted at Loaches.com, but nothing hit me as being the cause. I am on day two of a salt/temp increase to see if it helps. If last night was any indication, the problem is getting better.
Please note that I did not do the full dose as indicated on the box. It called for heaping tblspoon per 5 gallon. I only did 17 flat tblspoons for my 125gallon.
I am very cautious about using meds, especially when I cannot catch the fish in question and having a remaining community that is okay, not to mention my plants! 125gallon is alot to treat.
Just my .02 and worth every penny!
Ted
nanguz
02-26-2007, 7:02 AM
He is totally back to normal. He looks bigger and prettier then ever. Thanks for the replies though. It really looked like the slime just came off and underneath was a beautiful new coat.
Malefic23
02-26-2007, 9:07 AM
Glad he seems to be doing well. Keep us posted on him from time to time and let us know how he's doing.
thadius65
02-27-2007, 7:29 AM
As of last night, all seemed well on my clowns as well. The milky slime coat was gone. All acting fine. Not sure if it cleared on its own, or the salt/temp increase.
Glad yours is okay as well.
Ted
Neilsie
03-03-2007, 4:43 PM
Clown Loach have a tendancy to be prone to white spot, however saying that I have never had a problem.