Loaches Online Forum

my weather loach is about 2 years old and a couple of months ago started floating at the surface instead of lying at the bottomas it used to. it will occasionally swim around at the bottom but mostly just floats at the suface. is it sick?

Sounds like a swim bladder problem, is it still feeding?

In my experience there are 3 usual causes - virus, bacteria or diet.

The most common cause in coldwater fish tends to be diet, usually and impaction caused by dried foods expanding.

If it is still feeding try feeding it a couple of peas, this may clear/breakup the impaction

The other option is, again if it is still feeding stop feeding it for 3 to 4 days and this may well break up any impaction/blockage.

iv'e seen epsom salts work with goldfish with swimbladder problems, but it's not a surefire cure sometimes it works other times not.
but it might be worth a try

mick

Is it laying in plants, or just floating out in the open? Can it swim properly?

My Dojos lay in the plants.

thanks for the responses everyone. he seems to be able swim ok, i dont recallever seeing him eat so idont know if he is or not.