White film on Clown Loach

[ScotJudd]

My friend has lost her 2 clown loach. They had what looked like a white film over the whole body. It did not look like Ick but the fish had been scraping against the bog wood which now looks to have a white film in places. This came on quite quickly and the fish died within 24 hrs from observing the white film.
Ammonia 0.25 (but there was already one dead in the tank already), Nitrite 0, Nitrate 50-80. She found that the spindle in her filter had broken and the filter may not have been working at 100% efficiency. This May or may not be relevant.
Any ideas please ........

 

[gilpi]

My friend has lost her 2 clown loach. They had what looked like a white film over the whole body. It did not look like Ick but the fish had been scraping against the bog wood which now looks to have a white film in places. This came on quite quickly and the fish died within 24 hrs from observing the white film.
Ammonia 0.25 (but there was already one dead in the tank already), Nitrite 0, Nitrate 50-80. She found that the spindle in her filter had broken and the filter may not have been working at 100% efficiency. This May or may not be relevant.
Any ideas please ........

Sorry to hear that.
Not a lot of information in order to help you. Yes, the filter not working could be a problem.
What about water changes?
What is the temperature?
From my experience, water quality is the most important factor to keep your fish strong and healthy. So regardless what the tests tells you, water changes are key.

 

[ralfieboy]

My friend has lost her 2 clown loach. They had what looked like a white film over the whole body. It did not look like Ick but the fish had been scraping against the bog wood which now looks to have a white film in places. This came on quite quickly and the fish died within 24 hrs from observing the white film.
Ammonia 0.25 (but there was already one dead in the tank already), Nitrite 0, Nitrate 50-80. She found that the spindle in her filter had broken and the filter may not have been working at 100% efficiency. This May or may not be relevant.
Any ideas please ........

It loocks like not enough water changes and the high nitrates killed the fish. The filter not working could also have contributed to this. Weekly 20-30 % water changes are necessary.

 

[tnfinfan]

Newly added wood often gets a film of white slimy stuff for a time. Some fish will eat it and it's a normal, natural process of the wood settling in. Nothing is contagious about it.

Fish can get skin infections but unhealthful water conditions also can make the normal slime coat thicken and get a dusty look. Scratching tells me that their skin was was irritated by something. It's only guessing without seeing a dead fish but both dying at once says it was likely environment.

 

[ScotJudd]

Thank you for thoughts, I will pass them on!

 

[pip walters]

This could have been an infestation of the parasite Chilodonella. Often the fish produce excess body slime to try and shed the offending creatures, but this excess slime can clog the gills resulting in suffocation.

It is easily treated with salt - a bath 15 to 25 grams per litre of aquarium salt dissolved in some tank water is used. The fish are dipped for up to 15 minutes, or removed if any signs of severe stress are seen.

 

[tnfinfan]

This could have been an infestation of the parasite Chilodonella. Often the fish produce excess body slime to try and shed the offending creatures, but this excess slime can clog the gills resulting in suffocation.

It is easily treated with salt - a bath 15 to 25 grams per litre of aquarium salt dissolved in some tank water is used. The fish are dipped for up to 15 minutes, or removed if any signs of severe stress are seen.

Good thinking! Dirty water and chilodonella go hand in hand, too.

If any other fish show signs, salt dips are helpful for a number of ailments and little is required to perform one.