Is my clown loach dying???

[winthrop]

My clown loach has a lot of bite marks all over him. It is really bad. He swims around all day vertical, upside down, etc. He has also taken to propping himself against a corner of the tank. I don't know what to do with him. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

[The Angry Loach]

Well, propping can be normal for these guys and the swimming around at all angles could be due to either damage or infection of the swim bladder due to wounds. Separate the little fish and start treating him with anti-bacterial medications such as Maracyn one or two. I use tetracycline for a general cure-all when it comes to infection or infection related illness. These medications can be picked up at most any pet stores and you should start treatment immediately. Set up a quarantine tank and follow the directions exactly. Some medications do better with restricted light as well. You can use a dose of Melafix to fight off secondary infection and promote quicker healing since it's made with aloe and some other goodies. Use only a little or you could kill the fish.

[winthrop]

Thank you for replying.
Although I do not have another tank to put him in. Is it possible to treat him in the tank with all the other fish? Thanks again. I really don't want loose him.

[The Angry Loach]

You can treat the other fish as well. Probably for the better if it's a bacterial infection. They can be prone to spreading. It just costs more to treat more water. When treating, please reduce the light in the tank as this could cause degradation of the medicines. Best of luck.

Do you have a way to separate him from the general population? Mesh box or center divider? Some one is causing the damage and they should probably stay away from one another for a while. When treatments are done, you should move around the stuff in the tank to help with territorial behaviors to reduce further accidents.