Are my Clown Loaches hiding???

[Lady*J*]

Hello! I have a tank of American cichlids and Rainbows and three Congo Tetras, and just bought 2 medium sized clown loaches (about 3 inches long) three days ago. As soon as I put them into the tank, they immediately disappeared! Later that evening I saw one just peeking out from some lava rocks, but I haven't seen them since! The larges fish I have is a Vieja Synspilum who is approximately 5 inches long, but nowhere near big enough to swallow the loaches. I moved all the lava rocks aside this morning--- they weren't there. I do have a big, hollow tree branch type decoration that they may be hiding in, and I shook it gently, but nothing swam out. I'm worried because they haven't even come out to eat if they are in there. Could they be hiding under the gravel I haven't seen any fish remains floating around either. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[LesGerber]

They are probably just hiding as they are bashful creatures at times when they dont feel comfortable, give them a few days

Les

 

[cichlidmaster]

J,
I would agree with Les....at this time!!!!! The clowns are prolly just hiding. You are going to want to remove them once the V. synsiplus gets big tho!!

What size tank do you have these fish in?? Although the clowns can get to 12" it takes a long time for that to happen, whereas the synsiplus will get to 10" easily within a year or so if taken care of properly.

The synspilus is an aggressive species that may very well make short work of your clowns.

CM

 

[Fishsmurf]

Clowns are quite bashful and shy by habit. The only other thing I would add is that clowns seem to be comfier in slightly larger groups. With more of the own kind they seem more secure and adventerous. Ideally (and only if you have a big enough tank) try to get hold of a least a couple or three more to keep your guys company.......

 

[kevin007]

i used to have clown loaches and trust me i felt the same way. they were hiding between my pond rocks! great hiders for hide and seek

 

[Thomas A. Anderson]

Also, when you see them lying on their sides or even upside down, they are most likely not dead. They like to freak us out sometimes.

 

[kevin007]

exactly

 

[Lady*J*]

Thanks for your replies everyone. When I got home today, I saw one of the 2 peeking out of some rocks (yay!!!), so I feel better. BTW, I have a 75 gallon tank, and this is my second synspilum I've had (got it last summer). My first one I had for almost 4 years, and she was a big scaredy fish--scared of her own shadow!! This one is very calm so far, not agressive at all yet, but I know it is still growing. I will get a couple more loaches so they can feel more comfortable.

Thanks for your help!

Karen

 

[kevin007]

most catfish, cory loach and stuff r scared easily, i have 1 bronze cory and going to get 2 albino cory