golden zebra problem

[lovleeko]

I only got two of these beauties at the LFS because they were expensive. I didn't know they had to school. I am getting some more on the eighth (two for Tuesday deal at LFS :19: ) but for now I have two. I have had them for almost a month with no problems. Well now one of them seems to frantically swim on the side of the aquarium. trying to get out. Everyday for about three days. He stops sometimes but always picks it back up. I notice they are not getting along. This hasn't been a problem until now but I think it was because they did just hide in places in the tank. Under the little bridges and caves and they hid in their own spots and not together. Well this is fairly normal for loaches when their new to a tank so I didn't worry and knew they would come out in their own time. Well they have now and one is picking on the other I guess. And even when it's not going on he still swims the side which seems to get the attention of the other and he starts chasing him. Sorry for the length, long story short, should I separate them? I know they school but is it better for them to have each other and not get along or be alone in separate tanks? I do have a bigger tank I could put them both in and maybe this would be a good idea. IDK

The other fish in the tank seem fine. Readings are good. LOW nitrate no ammonia or nitrite. Temp is good.

[Crispy]

do you have lots of hiding spots for the loaches? if one is getting picked on, he should have somewhere to retreat. If you can keep him alive until you pickup more, the problem should correct itself when there are more loaches in the tank.
My pictus cat does the same thing you mention (swim up and down the glass seemingly trying to escape)... no idea why... the other pictus in the tank hides and does his job. hmmm.....

[lovleeko]

do you have lots of hiding spots for the loaches? if one is getting picked on, he should have somewhere to retreat. If you can keep him alive until you pickup more, the problem should correct itself when there are more loaches in the tank.
My pictus cat does the same thing you mention (swim up and down the glass seemingly trying to escape)... no idea why... the other pictus in the tank hides and does his job. hmmm.....

There are so many places for them to hide when they were in their hiding stage, I could barley find them and would have excavate the tank digging around to see if they were alive. LOL So I'm unsure why he doesn't hide. The other one is not hurting I don't think. Just freaking him out. Maybe I can get a video. They are in a small tank it's only temporary. I planned on moving them to my 55 but I am working on putting sand in there and wanted to wait. Since they are so small right now and there is only two of them they are in one of my tens.

[lovleeko]

found this on loaches.com


A common trait of newly introduced Botiine loaches (or if you change the décor around in an existing tank containing loaches) is for them to perform what is nicknamed by loach enthusiasts as ‘The Loachy Dance’. This is where they appear to dive bomb in a shoal, up and down at the sides and corners of the tank. This usually settles down within a few days as they get to know their new home. However, it is not likely that the dance is always a stress reaction, as loaches have been known to do this even in tanks that have been set up for years. I regularly see my shoal of forty Clown loaches doing this in the evenings under blue moon lighting. They usually perform their dance when it is getting close to feeding time, and they are very obviously excited. I feel that in this instance it is more of a social bonding behaviour, each one bumping into others and letting them know they are there – they seem to feel happy and safe under such circumstances


Maybe this is what he's doing. I did rearrange things and added some live plants to the tank right before he started doing this.

[mac]

Hi,
I hade the smae trouble with my fish. But this stoped when I gave them lot's more hiding places.

IMO and IME I find that these fish will do this when not in the right size school, or their is somthing that is making the fish feel very inscure in the tank.

IMO I would try adding more places for the Laoches to hide in.

Just one last thing I find these fsih like to have lot's of oxigen in the water. That could also be a slight factor to the fish's inscurity.

Hope this helps,
mac

[Crispy]

There are so many places for them to hide when they were in their hiding stage, I could barley find them and would have excavate the tank digging around to see if they were alive. LOL So I'm unsure why he doesn't hide. The other one is not hurting I don't think. Just freaking him out. Maybe I can get a video. They are in a small tank it's only temporary. I planned on moving them to my 55 but I am working on putting sand in there and wanted to wait. Since they are so small right now and there is only two of them they are in one of my tens.

If it doesn't look dangerous to the fish, I'd let it slide until you pickup a few more loaches... wouldn't worry about it too much.

[lovleeko]

Thanks Mac and crispy. I will try to add a pump and see if that helps. Now I'm pretty positive it is the other loach bothering him on top of the fact that I changed their environment. They just came out of hiding and were doing great until I moved things. I'm sure not having a good shoal is also a problem. Next tuesday I'll be able to get at least two more. Their almost nine dollars at the LFS which adds up on a schooling fish. Especially after Christmas:help: LOL Thanks for the opinions. The hiding spots are abundant though. Like I said I would have to dig around in there for a while trying to find them to make sure they were alive when I first got them, so I dont think that is problem.



Hi,
I hade the smae trouble with my fish. But this stoped when I gave them lot's more hiding places.

IMO and IME I find that these fish will do this when not in the right size school, or their is somthing that is making the fish feel very inscure in the tank.

IMO I would try adding more places for the Laoches to hide in.

Just one last thing I find these fsih like to have lot's of oxigen in the water. That could also be a slight factor to the fish's inscurity.

Hope this helps,
mac

[mac]

Thanks Mac and crispy. I will try to add a pump and see if that helps. Now I'm pretty positive it is the other loach bothering him on top of the fact that I changed their environment. They just came out of hiding and were doing great until I moved things. I'm sure not having a good shoal is also a problem. Next tuesday I'll be able to get at least two more. Their almost nine dollars at the LFS which adds up on a schooling fish. Especially after Christmas:help: LOL Thanks for the opinions. The hiding spots are abundant though. Like I said I would have to dig around in there for a while trying to find them to make sure they were alive when I first got them, so I dont think that is problem.

IMO I think what has made them scared is that you have changed their hiding places. That is if it is what you mean by changing the environment.
Given time things will be fine IME. I would just add more places for them to hide.

Other wise hope all comes right soon,
mac

[lovleeko]

Boy they are still at it today. It doesn't seem like he's getting hurt but it has to be a bit stressful. I'm going to get a video today maybe.