Internal parasites?

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Joyfulexpressions
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:50 am

Internal parasites?

Post by Joyfulexpressions » Fri Aug 07, 2020 11:10 pm

Hi I’m a pretty new loach owner. I unfortunately was one of the people that got duped by my LFS that a Hillstream loach was a great addition to my 10g tank. My original and smallest hillie is about 2” he survived through multiple tetras dying from said store and later an ICH outbreak from the tetras. Things had finally stabilized but I only had 2 tetras and my loach so I went to a suggested store and got more tetras and went to another LFS that I found that had 5stars to get another loach, because I read they do better in groups. The loach was significantly bigger though and is about 3”.

So about 3 weeks since that, the tetras I received from the suggested store were all really sick and again started dropping like flies. So we dealt with ICH and lost a couple of tetras, but both loaches were fine through the treatment. About a week after treatment was done, I think the tetras also had internal parasites because one of their stomachs would “move” while the other one kept getting skinnier.

At that time the loaches were still eating fine and seemed good, but then I started treating the parasites with Seachem MetroPlex. I lost the tetras, and the loaches started not eating, and I noticed the biggest one’s stomach is sunken in, the smaller one isn’t as bad but is sunken as well.

I stopped treatment but they still aren’t eating? Should I restart treatment? They are both breathing heavily with their mouths moving which they didn’t use to do this.. I have an air stone as well as the tanks water level is about 4” from the top to get plenty of agitation.

Tank size: 10 g
Ammonia: 0ppm
PH: 7.4
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 20~40ppm
GH: 9d
KH: 4~5d
Temp: 78degrees I’ve been a little nervous to lower it since I’m not sure exactly what’s making them sick, and I’ve heard 78 is the best temp for discouraging a lot of diseases.

I change the tank once a week with a Vac. IDK what else I should do.. I don’t want to loose them too.

ginacollins
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2023 10:18 pm

Re: Internal parasites?

Post by ginacollins » Tue Dec 19, 2023 10:05 pm

Hello, I think you should try offering a variety of high-quality foods suitable for loaches, such as sinking pellets, frozen or live foods (like bloodworms or brine shrimp). If they are not eating, consider offering small, easily digestible foods like daphnia or baby brine shrimp.
- Gina Collins -geometry dash lite

jamesburns
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:30 pm

Re: Internal parasites?

Post by jamesburns » Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:08 pm

While you treated for ich, it’s possible that the tetras introduced other parasites.

Your water parameters seem reasonable overall. You can consider testing for pH stability as well. Sudden pH swings can stress fish.

Loaches can be finicky eaters. Try offering a variety of foods to encourage them eat.

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