Clown Loach Breathing Hard

[Bryan Cooper]

hello again, i just bought a clown loach yesterday, he is breathing very hard and always has his mouth open, he just kinda lies on the driftwood and doesent move, he does swim around but i just think this is a little weird, any ideas, thanks

 

[Rbishop]

tank temp? water parameters? Do a water change and start an airstone for starters.

 

[12 Volt Man]

agreed.

does he have friends in the tank?

a solitary clown can be pretty timid.

 

[Bryan Cooper]

tank is in great shape, just did the usual weekly water change, never tested the water befor, but all fish r looking great , and growing big, other tank mates are 3 platies, 3 tiger barbs, 2 10banded leporinus, 1 pictus cat, 1 pleco, 2 angels, and some tetras, some fry, and the very lazy clown loach

 

[H3D]

What is the aquarium size and temperature? What kind of filtration do you have?

 

[Bryan Cooper]

i keep the temp between 76-81 its a 40 gal long, i have an aquaclear 50 and a elilte sponge filter running 12 hrs inside the tank, aquaclear on all the time of course , this is the first time in 3 months a fish has been acting funny, everyone else in there seems to be fine, there all growing VERY fast, i got the lepornius at about 2 1/2 in. now there a healthy 4 1/2

 

[Aaron89]

trun your filter out pipe so it breaks the surface of the water if u can, it will help airiate the water for the fish

 

[loaches r cool]

Clowns prefer a high flow rate and highly oxygenated water, if you dont that may cause the heavy breathing. Of course they also prefer to be in groups of at least 5. If you havent already then look at thier species profile and make sure you can care for them long term http://www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus