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I have a tank with 4 Dojo loaches.

3 of them have what seem to be some kind of fungal infection, all 3 started days apart and all 3 with a lesion right above the nose area.

Strange because the lesions probably indicate them hurting themselves against something but they seem very peaceful when Im around, basically sitting there looking at time go by.

Anyway.

I was wondering if I could dip them in a potassium permanganate solution or malachite green, you know, considering they are loaches and all....

If so, how many drops would be used in a 10 gallon hospital tank?

Appreciate any help you may provide.

I seem to be facing about the fifth of all seven plagues in a matter of a month....very strange...

Interestingly, Ive been paying my fish more attention over the last few months....

Funny, I forgot to ask what I was going to ask initially.

Can I swab the wounded area with PP or MG? Would that be better considering it would only expose the injured area to the chemical and not the whole body?

And would Dojo loaches do well with it or would I be hurting them more if I did?

Personally I would treat the whole tank rather with a med known to be compatible with loaches (it usually does specify on a lot of meds whether they are suitable for clown loaches etc, and that will do for me!)

Both malachite green and potassium permanganate are powerful toxins and if there is an open lesion on the fish you are applying it to topically , you could give them instant blood poisoning. Personally I wouldnt risk it with a loach.

Topical treatments with antibiotics are useful, but these old style fish treatments are a bit volatile.If you do decide to risk it then make sure they are diluted a little with clean water. Theres plently of friendly fungal treatments for loaches in lfs's worldwide, id rather go find one, with fungal infections you usually have a few days to get something done, so a shopping trip tomorrow wouldnt be out of the question.You might even have time to mail order something if the delivery is quick. Better safe than sorry.

I too would agree, dont use either of those on a loach.
I too would recommend qting and treating the whole tank, or treating the main tank with a loach safe med.

Furan 2 is safe for loaches and works well.
Maracyn 2 does as well.
My guess is on a gram negative bacterial infection.
I hear Kanamycin also works well on bacteria and is safe for loaches.


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