Clown Loach not eating

[mikeb144]

One of my loaches has stopped eating. He is about 5". I have done everything I can think of. Open to suggestions. It's NOT my water. Thanks

[mnemenoi]

Could it be temperature related? My suggestion would be to add garlic to some shrimp or other cut up seafood (crab/fish/mollusks) added after the lights are turned off to hopefully target feed the loach. Is there some aggression in the shoal? How many are in the tank? They can be troublesome occasionally, but mine have always resumed feeding eventually. Good Luck and hope it gets its appetite back.

[mikeb144]

Thanks for the advice. I should have given more info. I removed the loach to a tank by his self. Temp has been stable. He/her has been in the same tank for five years with the same Tankmates.

[HERM]

Could it be temperature related? My suggestion would be to add garlic to some shrimp or other cut up seafood (crab/fish/mollusks) added after the lights are turned off to hopefully target feed the loach. Is there some aggression in the shoal? How many are in the tank? They can be troublesome occasionally, but mine have always resumed feeding eventually. Good Luck and hope it gets its appetite back.

+1
How long has yours not been eating ? What do you feed ? How many Loaches do you have? I feed NLS thera A, my loaches really love it. I have noticed that every now and then one or two of my Clown Loaches dose not come out at feeding time . I use Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme a few minutes before feeding time and everybody go's nuts looking for food . I also sink a zucchini rite before lights out about ounce a week .

[mikeb144]

I feed NLS Thera A. I have four other loaches that were in the same tank, a 300 gal with 16 Frontosa. Everyone else is doing fine. He has not ate in two weeks!!

[HERM]

I feed NLS Thera A. I have four other loaches that were in the same tank, a 300 gal with 16 Frontosa. Everyone else is doing fine. He has not ate in two weeks!!

Wow ,that is quite a while. How long have you had it quarantined? Do you have some hiding spots for it in its tank? Mine go nuts for bloodworms have you tried them on it ?

[mnemenoi]

I'm a bit stumped. I have a few different ideas, but could be none of them...
1. Social dynamic - Perhaps as they have grown, the social dynamic of the school has shifted and it is stressed or being bullied. Clowns and all loaches are impossible (very hard) to sex and little is known about their dynamics. Could be a subdominant male?
2. Isolation - They are usually very social fish (does not exactly work with idea one, but) and perhaps it being isolated has caused it to be further stressed and compounded an ongoing problem.
3. Constipated - It would likely look bloated, but perhaps it has an impacted intestinal tract. Try adding Epsom Salt to the tank. Are there snails in the tank? Is there a chance that might be the blockage? A handfull of MTS might cause that in my opinion.

Thats about the best I have, hope you find the cause and let us know what worked or did not

[mikeb144]

I have tried bloodworms. He is in a tank by his self now for about a week. I have large PVC for him to hide. Going to epson salt him tonight. Either cure him or kill him, not sure which. This fish has no reason to go off his feed. There has been no change at all in the tank. The only thing I do is remove my females while they are holding. This has never increased the stress level on the loaches,,, I am stumped!!!

[HERM]

Good luck , I hope he/she makes it.

[wesleydnunder]

The eating problem started when you moved it to a tank by itself?

Mark

[mikeb144]

Eating problem begain a week before.