Loaches Online Forum

I found a single Kubotia yesterday at a lfs for about half price (compared to other lfs around here), so I bought him. I put him in my tank and have been observing his behavior and noticed some peculiarities.

1) he doesn't move around much and when he does, it's in short spurts.
2) he doesn't eat
3) he breathes very rapidly then slows (almost stops) then starts breathing rapidly again.
4) he just sits out in the open, all alone.

I didn't expect him to join the other 3 Kubs in their cave right off, but I didn't expect him to sit right up against the front glass. Any ideas as to what might be wrong with him? Should I quarantine him and treat him with medicine? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Well, he's still alive, but I have yet to see him eat. He still mostly just sits around but he does move around the tank some. He doesn't interact with the other loaches (not that I really expect him to join them this quickly).

you'd better get down on your knees and pray to your god that this loach is not carrying anything.
ALWAYS USE A QTANK!

What was your acclimation procedure?

I acclimated by floating. I drip my salt water fish, but I've never done that with fresh water. None of my other fish reacted like this when I put them in.

Did you buy all your other fish from the same store? If the stores vary, their water can vary.

I drip acclimate all my fish, even when I am changing them from one tank to another one of my tanks.

I usually get all of my fish from the same store and I use the same water as they do. However this fish was from a different store. I'll be dripping in the future.