Are My Clown Loaches Breeding?

[mk47]

Hi all,

Going to try explain this the best i can

In my tank I have 4 clown loaches, 2 are small approx 2cm max, the other 2 are larger and atleast 3-4 inches in length. I have a large rock with lots of holes where the fishes swim in and out of. the 2 larger loaches 'live' in one of the holes. 1 of them comes out to play and generally goes back 'home' periodically. however the other 1 is constantly inside and does not come out ever. its been over a week since ive seen it come out and its definately alive as i can see its tailfin moving around all the time. ive had the water tested at the lfs and they said its fine. could they be breeding or is there something wrong?

 

[petalpoppy]

Hi all,

Going to try explain this the best i can

In my tank I have 4 clown loaches, 2 are small approx 2cm max, the other 2 are larger and atleast 3-4 inches in length. I have a large rock with lots of holes where the fishes swim in and out of. the 2 larger loaches 'live' in one of the holes. 1 of them comes out to play and generally goes back 'home' periodically. however the other 1 is constantly inside and does not come out ever. its been over a week since ive seen it come out and its definately alive as i can see its tailfin moving around all the time. ive had the water tested at the lfs and they said its fine. could they be breeding or is there something wrong?

hi would say there not breeding as they hardly ever (never) breed in aquarium i think there was 1 case of it and thats it
its likely that your loach is just chilling out my mother in laws one does the same thing its just normal loach ways bless them there sooo cute

petalpoppy

 

[Anguilla82]

i'd say they were definitley NOT breeding. Clown loaches get up to 35cm long, so i would say that it was unlikely if your relatively small loaches were sexually mature yet.

as for not coming out at all, alot of loaches are very nocturnal, so they may all come out after the lights have gone out.

 

[loachman]

Current thought is that they need to be 6+ inches to be mature.

Generally, loaches can be very shy. I'd not worry unless there is some other symptom.

 

[shelaghfishface]

i recall only ever having heard once that they had bred in an aquarium, and that was with intervention and doses of hormones, one of mine, i never ever see, unless the lights are all off and it thinks no one is watching but it would be great to be able to breed them, they are beautiful fish, after oscars, my favorite