Loaches Online Forum

Thanks! Yes, Dave, I'm a member of the Honolulu Aquarium Society, and I've made a few acquaintances there, but no one so far who's got a set up suitable, in the long term, for clown loaches. But, I'm hoping that eventually I'll meet someone who does. And sweetlilbully--too bad! I'm in Mo'ili'ili--it...

Guess not, huh? I guess this place isn't teeming with fellow islanders
Well, please do keep me in mind, if in the future you come to hear of someone in Honolulu who keeps clown loaches. I'm sure this thread will get outdated soon, but just pm me. Thanks!

Hi! I live in Honolulu, Hawai'i. I love my clown loaches, but I know can't keep them forever. One of two things will happen in the next two years or so, I just don't know which will happen first: either my four loaches will outgrow my 55-gallon tank, or I will be moving back to the mainland US. Eith...

Once I tried switching from API's Stress Coat to Tetra's AquaSafe, and my fish started flashing. This went on for about a week, while I debated with myself over whether the fish were sick, before it occurred to me that switching water conditioners might have something to do with it. I switched back ...

No, not too complicated. I think I get the basic picture. In fact, it sounds like a good idea and one that might simplify my water changes. I'd just have to make sure the overflow was slow enough not to fill up the bucket too quickly.... If I could get it to cycle about 5 gallons per day, that'd be ...

That's a really good question. It wasn't a huge change, but I did do about 8 gallons a day for 3 days in a row. That's about 15% per day (I never do more than 15% at a time). I wish I'd written on the calendar when I first noticed the spots. I should have, but I put it out of my mind because the fir...

hmmm, well I guess to answer my own question about the decorations, I should get the TDS instrument and test my water and test what happens to when I soak the decorations in a bucket....

Chefkeith: I use Stress Coat. I have heard many people call it "snake oil," and because of that I tried switching to Tetra AquaSafe about a month or two ago. After a few days of using it, I saw my fish flashing, which at first freaked me out. I suspected a disease and continued using the AquaSafe fo...

Thanks everyone. I guess my question is pretty much answered: The spots seem harmless, and they may go away if I make a few changes in decor and/or water changing methods. For the record, though, here are the pics chefkeith asked for. The first is of one clown. It's a bit blurry but perhaps you can ...

When I add the water back, I fill up several 1-gallon jugs and add 1/2 ml of water conditioner to each. I then let it sit for about 10 minutes to let the conditioner disperse, and then I pour it in. Not all at once, but one gallon after another.

Sorry chekeith, I saw your most recent reply after already posting back. I don't use ferts. The substrate is inert. The rocks were sold to me at the lfs as "aquarium ready." I am supposing they are inert, but I'll remove them if you think it wise. They're small, and they're only in there because I t...

Starsplitter7, thanks for the tip. I'll look into getting the TDS instrument. And chefkeith, I'm really glad you saw my post, because your experience was the one that was really worrying me. It's a relief to hear that black spot wasn't what killed your fish (though the story is a sad one no matter w...

Hi! Thanks, and sorry, but I don't know what "TDS" means :roll: As for the other info, it's a 55 gallon tank. I run two HOB filters, an Aquaclear 70 and Whisper Power 40. I use no carbon (I put extra biological filter pads where the carbon would usually go). I have 4 clown loaches (3 are about 2 inc...

My clown loaches have developed little black spots. Most are on their noses, making it look they have freckles. Some are on their bodies and fins. I wish I could recall when I first noticed this, but it's been going on for several months. There have been no new fish added since my last clown, bought...

Thanks again. I appreciate the differing opinions on prophylactic treatments, because it gives me lots of information to help me make up my mind. It's true the fish didn't eat for about 60 hours after I brought it home, but for the past 2 days it has eaten normally. It is active in the late evening ...