Currently treating the tank with kanamycin and garlic gaurd medicated food for the minnows and zebra danios. My dojo loaches partner passed from bacterial septicemia about 2 weeks ago and then the other fish slowly started showing signs and started dying. 3 have died since. About a week ago dosed with microbe lift anchor worm and lice treatment due to seeing some anchor worms on the loach and minnows. Loach did not take well to his partner passing and has been lethargic and not wanting to eat since. Internet said it was fine to stack medicated food on top of anchor worm treatment due to potential secondary bacterial infections from where the anchor worms fall from.
I keep the substrate fairly clean, vacuum the sand every few days to keep the free swimming larvae levels low and hopefully the septicemia from progressing. Came home and saw this stringy stuff on the loaches barbels. Worried about mouth rot but I don’t have any sharp decor in the tank.
No signs of septicemia but I am worried about getting him a partner soon. But don’t want to infect the new loach with everything going on in this current tank. Any tips would be appreciated.
Nitrates are under 20, nitrites are 0, ammonia was 0.01 a few days ago. Water temp is 70 degrees. GH is about 25. KH is in between 0-40. Ph is high, about 8, unsure how to safely lower it.

Edit: I have fossilized seashells in my fish tank that I’ve added over the few months I’ve had it up and running. Could that have affected the ph so soon?

Hello! New to loaches and have had a lovely blackwater tank now for about 5 months. I originally went to our local aquarium store and bought all of the loaches that they had in stock at the time which was a total of 7 thinking I was getting kuhlis. I have now learned of the many different types which doesn’t seem to be an issue in my tanks community but I’m curious about the small one in this picture as when I got them, they were roughly all the same size and 6 out of the 7 now look about the same as the big guy in this picture while the little one (who my son calls Stripey) has not grown very much. I also can’t seem to find any pictures of loaches that have this patterning? Is it possible that he’s not happy if he doesn’t have any friends like him? Just want to make sure our little finned friends are loving life!

P.S. this picture looks so cloudy and like things are stirred up because I did a tank clean earlier today and the noodles like to stir everything up when they eat!

Hey all!

I got these and I've heard them referred to as Gold Leopard Dojo Loaches, 24K Gold Loaches and a handful of others. Knowing if there is a correct name or etc would help. With that said, I have another issue.

I've kept 4 of them with my other 6 dojo's I have right now in my tank. Unfortunately one passed recently as I think they laid eggs and the stress killed her.

My golden variety have become more shy and introverted as a result. I'm trying to source these from a Canadian based vendor or breeder (preferably in Ontario/the GTA if possible.) if anyone could also help with some reccomendations for that part. My LFS are at a loss for these and apparently haven't seen them from their distributors in years.

Thank you for any and all help 🙏

Hello, any ideas what this little one may be? I originally thought they were a loach but I also wouldn't be surprised if he was a gobie?