Loaches Online Forum

Hello, I'm new here but need some advice.....

I have 2 Sewellia lineolatas [ http://www.loaches.com/species-index/sewellia-lineolata ] and just noticed when watching one on the glass, that her pectoral and pelvic fins looked tattered. Her tail and dorsal fin looked fine. The other specimen looked fine though I had less of a chance to study that one.

These 2 fish I've had for about 9 months and never had any problems so I'm a little distressed at this find. Is it fin rot? I only had fin rot before with goldfish (a long time ago) and that mostly effected their tail fin.

Sorry I don't have a photo but not really sure how easy it would be to capture this on a photo anyway.

Regards Jon

Does it look like the rays of the fins are separated giving the fish a spiny, hedge hog look to the fins?
If so, we have had similar posts about this condition in hillstreams over the years.
The condition I am referring to is not fatal and seems to take care of itself over time.

Thanks for your help Jim!

I tried to find posts on this but I couldn't find... anyway...

The fins don't exactly have the spiny look but rather the fins look like they are dropping the edges, like shedding skin. I can see tiny pieces of the fins hanging off. I've never seen this on any of my fishes before.

I am really hoping this will clear up soon.

regards,
Jon

This link might help you:

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... highlight=

Usually it passes after a few days all by itself.

Thank you Menu!
That looks exactly like what my fish has (or had as I think it's cleared up now).
How strange though... Perhaps caused because their pectoral and pelvic fins are constantly running along surfaces?
Thanks again Jim and Menu!

Its interesting. I haven't seen this in a long time in my hillstreams, but I just noticed my 10 year old Sinogastromyzon wui is going through the same thing. It appears to be shedding

Jim Powers wrote:Its interesting. I haven't seen this in a long time in my hillstreams, but I just noticed my 10 year old Sinogastromyzon wui is going through the same thing. It appears to be shedding

I really didn't realise hillstreams could live so long! Certainly encouraging to look after them.

Most of the loaches are long living. It gives reason to buying them and keeping them in good nick.

I have a few Gastromyzon that are 9 years old, a beaufortia and S. wui that are at least 10 years old and I have had my original Sewellia for over 5 years, so given the right conditions and a little luck, hillstreams can have a long lifespan.