Clowns flashing?

[tonergirl]

:help: Has anybody noticed their Clown loaches reacting to liquid plant ferts? I'm actually not even sure that's the cause but it seems like everytime I do a water change and add the Flourish, they will sometimes flash on this big centrepiece in the tank. I've actually treated the tank with API General Cure on several occasions and everything seemed fine and then 3 or 4 days later and it starts all over again. There's no visible signs of disease or parasites and believe me i've been checking. Water parameters are fine and the tank is well established for over 4 years. Tank mates are 7 albino cories, 2 rubberlip plecos and a 2" rainbow shark. The tank is 60g plus. I would be grateful for any advice...Thanks

 

[fishorama]

I don't use Flourish but fish flash from irritation. You could see if only a half dose still bothers them then add the rest later. How large a WC are you doing?

 

[tonergirl]

I usually do 15% to 25% about every 4 or 5 days. Always use a dechlorinator and try to match the temp. of the tank water, so as not to shock them and they always come out and party when I'm done, LOL! I'm actually going to try not adding it for a week or two, to see if they still do the same thing. You'd think if it was a parasite/sickness, there would be other visible signs but they look perfectly normal, eat fine and they're all over the tank, playfully, chasing each other. I just don't get it but I'm still afraid I might miss something, and I'll end up losing them.

 

[fishorama]

You might look to your water too especially this time of year. There can be "micro bubbles" in cold or well water that take a while to break up. Do you gravel vac with plants? You may stir up fine but irritating particulates, after 4 years there's usually a lot of "stuff" even with heavy vacuuming.

 

[tonergirl]

You know, that's something I never thought of, especially this year the winter has been unusually cold and TONS of snow. I'm going to Petsmart(YUCK, the only lfs for miles around) today, as soon as Brian gets home from hockey and I'm going to get some new test liquids, just to make sure all my bases are covered, in case my old ones aren't up to snuff. They are a few years old. Thanks for the suggestion fishorama!

 

[tonergirl]

Well, I bought some API Root Tabs because I thought it might just be the liquid Flourish that was getting them agitated and so far so good...no flashing whatsoever but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed anyway, LOL! Picked up some new testing stuff and still the water parameters are fine, so I hope this will put a stop to the flashing. Only time, will tell.

 

[fishorama]

Good luck!

 

[pinkertd]

Good luck with the root tabs. It doesn't surprise me that the loaches are sensitive to the Flourish, they don't have scales which withstand irritating chemicals better.