Any Lasting Damage To Clown Loaches...

[VickiandKev]

I've just seen an advert on preloved for a 4ft Juwel tank housing 3-4 plecs and 50+ clown loaches ranging from 3-11". Looking at the picture, I feel a bit sad that these beautiful fish have had such limited space for their big group in their lifetimes and am very tempted to offer a few of them a home for Xmas in my new 6ft tank (which I should be getting in the next few weeks), but wanted to know if they might have any lasting issues which I should consider?

Is it possible they might be stunted and therefore die young or do you think the move from a big group to a smaller group (I only have 8 smallish loaches right now) will create stress and associated health problems for them?

Just wanted to ask all these questions before I enquire.

 

[indigoj]

I guess it's hard to tell, I'd be tempted to get a few that are healthy looking if they are a good price and be prepared that there may be problems with stress - quarentine them if you get them for about 4 weeks and keep a close eye on them, also acclimatise very slowly.

 

[onebto]

That's a terrible thing to keep all those fish in such a small tank.

Good on you thinking of giving some a good home.

As to your concerns that's a real tuffy.

Could they be stunted and die young? Its possible but I know if any are lucky enough to get a place in your tank even if its just a couple of months or a year or two then I think lucky them I am sure they will have a better life with you

there current health I endorse what indigoj says 100%

Stress and associated health problems it may work from the positive point of view they may react well to being taken away from the stress of a way over stocked tank.

Please Keep us apprised of what you decide to do

Regards onebto

 

[Curiosity101]

Oh my gosh. After much searching I've just found it. That's horrendous!

Although...and people may frown at me here.

But I would suggest buying the whole thing (if you can).
I'd offer just over half the asking price.
If you could manage the daily/bi daily water changes then you could start by selling off the bigger ones and work your way along.

This may not be 100% ethical, and not 100% practical.
But with you they'd be in a better home. You could easily make your money back (plus more).
And then long term, presumably they'd go to better homes too.

Just an idea...might not be possible though.

 

[Lestat999]

That's just not right, I would guess that the larger clowns were not grown to that size in that tank though and may not have even been in there that long.

Out of interest where is the tank now? If you do decide to go for it I could help with rehoming some of the clowns as I am only around the corner from you. I have a 2metre tank with space for some of these guys & a healthy obsession for clowns (obviously i'll cough up a little cash too).

 

[Curiosity101]

It's less than an hour from my house. To be honest, if they're all still available when my christmas holidays start I'll be tempted to buy them to resell.

Whilst obviously doing large daily water changes.
It'd be nice to do something useful, and at the very least get my money back.

If it wasn't such a risk then I definitely would buy them, but of course at the same time I'd feel bad if I was unable to re-home them and they were then stuck in that whilst I went back to uni for another 7 weeks. (I'd be back for fortnightly water changes, but that obviously wouldn't be enough)

 

[Lestat999]

I have just seen it listed on Preloved and I have to admit I am shocked that many fish have survived in that tiny tank with only a Fluval 305 filtering it!!!!!

 

[Curiosity101]

I thought it had two filters on it?

 

[Truck]

whoever buys this is gonna make a small fortune, 11" clown loaches go for big money!

 

[Curiosity101]

I don't know about a mini fortune...but the point is you should at least get your money back. And do a service.

 

[onebto]

well said Curiosity101

 

[Big_eyes]

Seen it myself and if I had the space I rescue as many as I could.

I don't understand the logic in it, apart from the serious issues it doesn't even look very good

 

[VickiandKev]

If I could go halves on a rescue effort with someone on here, then I would happily see if I could find a couple of hundred to take these fish off this person. My OH is going to kill me but if anyone is near and could get together perhaps 3 people with suitable tanks for the fish to pay for this altogether and help with the rehoming effort too then we could do this.

I think the 6ft tank is coming in a week or so, I will have serious filtration on the beast and it will be a little over 1000L and 6 x 2 x 2.5ft so I could certainly fit a fair few clown loaches, and they would be a lot better off until they could be rehomed.

If someone would like the tank/equipment all the better, they could pay a third and keep perhaps 5-8 loaches and whichever of the plecs. Then if someone else has a 6ft or bigger tank we could split the remaining 40+ loaches between us, for a third of the price each and then start our rehoming from our own tanks.

I wouldn't be able to pay much, as I would also have a hell of a journey up from North London to collect, but I agree it would be worthwhile.
I've helped with several rescue efforts with small furries, and as a future vet (the argument I'm gonna use with my OH LOL!) I think I should do what I can.

I can message this person if people can step up to help as I'm way too poor to foot the whole price myself

 

[VickiandKev]

I have messaged the lady and it's all still available. I'm currently seeing how little she will take for the lot.

I have posted here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=312897&st=0
to ask for help, so if anyone can help - please post there

As they say on the TV ads, every little helps