If my sucking loach, called scooter, is swimming at the surface does that mean he is dying? I clean his tank and put de-chlorinaizer in every week. Each night i put food in his tank and the food makes the tank dirty. Then he tends to stick onto a plant i have in the tank by the top part of the water. His head is not sticking out or his nose he is just like right below the surface. Does that mean he is dying? he does not stick his head out of the water or anything he just stays right below the surface and when he gets spooked he starts swimming around the tank poking his head out of the water during the day. But he does not do that right after I clean it. Does that mean his food is poisouning him? If you are asking about the fish that is sometimes also referred to as an indian or chinese or golden algea eater they are very hardy fish. However, when fish are swimming near the top of the tank there is probably an oxygen problem ... and because you state that he doesn't swim near the top after a water change it makes me think that this may be the problem.
You indicated that you "clean" the tank, are you doing "partial" water changes as is necessary for the size of you tank? You do not want to change all of the water! A freshwater tank needs to complete a nitrogen cycle after intial setup (which may take several weeks depending upon several factors) If you have other fish, how are they behaving? You will also need proper filtration. Go to your local pet store and with information about your tank and I am sure they will help lead you in the right direction.
Good luck! | 