Weather Loach (DoJo Loach) pale in complexion??

Question

I have a 20 Gallon tank.

2 Blood Parrots.

1 Splendid Rainbow.

2 Small Tetras.

1 Weather Loach (added two weeks ago)

I added the Weather loach about two weeks ago.

Ive noticed in the last week that sometimes his color is very pale and other times his color soet of returns.

The paleness seems to be a little more frequent.

His behaviour hasnt changed but i havent had him long enough to know what his normal behaviour should be.

Ammonia is 0

Ph is 7.5

Did a 25% water change 2 days ago.

Is this normal of should i be concerned??

I do add Aquairum salt to my tank. some people says salt is bad for loaches while others say it is good for them??????

Answer 1

no don't add salt........... he wont be best pleased. i have 4 weather loach and ever one of them is a different colour, one is very dark the other is very light, they are all slightly different, get him some blood worms they absolutely love them..make sure he is eating ok, feed him at night when he will be sure to get his fair share of food.. do you have a hiding hole for him? they love dark spots to hide.

Answer 2

Here is a site that has all the info you could need on weather loaches.  They are cold water fish, btw.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/wea...

I have kept them and they do vary in color intensity from time to time.  Unless they stay faded out and don't eat, they will be fine.  If some of the other fish are picking on them (the parrots would be the culprits) they will not color up well (trying to hide).

I did not use salt for them, never heard that they needed it.

They do like a sandy bottom or very small gravel because they like to dig in and bury themselves with only their heads sticking out.  Any sharp edges on the gravel will damage their barbels (whiskers).