Hi..

I have 2 questions, What would cause a sudden
outbreak(only noticed it
about a week ago)?

To much fish, to much food, insufficient water changes, lack
of trace elements, lack of CO2, lack of real water plants,
and so on..

What kind of fish would eat such stuff?

Personally I would _never_ recommend function fish.

And I would never recommend clown loaches to such a small
tank, too.

NOTE: I have reduced fedding to see if this will help

It's your job to feed fish well..
--
cu
Marco