basic questions about clown loaches

[k2snowboards88]

I just want to know how fast they grow, and if its allright to get just 1. I have a 55 gallon tank, so i could get more than one, but i like to have variety in my tank.

 

[The-Wolf]

Clown loaches are a social fish, they need to be in groups of 4 or more.

 

[lady_tanksalot]

i had two and they were ok but seemed quite reclusive and hid a lot

bought two more today and boy they have been playing like puppies all day

so entertaining and there colour is so much brighter, i presume that means they are a lot happier

 

[Cat]

Try giving them cucumber its funny watching them eat it.

 

[Puffer_freak]

They completely hollow it out! Cat's right, they are extremely funny to watch! Keep them in groups of 3 or more for comfort though!

 

[Lateral Line]

I'd say 3 or more. Their growth is not linear. They grow quickly initially but slow down and get slower and slower.

 

[Tom H]

just one fish will probably hide at the back of the tank and you will never see it. this happened to me, but after buying another 3, they all seemed happy. they do like to be in a group, so you definetly need more than one.

Tom

 

[k2snowboards88]

but if its really true that a 55 gallon tank can only hold 55 inches of fish, then i could only have 7 more inches of fish. which would be practically nothing. hmm maybe 3, but that would still be just about everything.

 

[Lateral Line]

1 inch per gallon is a suggested maximum, not a rule. I always feel a tank stocked that high is overstocked.

That said, I don't know how you are calculating your stock. If you are assuming 4 12"/300mm fish then you are being very generous. Few Clown Loaches get to full size, and those that do will have taken years to get there.

 

[JDH]

I had 2 that pretty much always hid, then 1 died, so i bought 2 more and all 3 were very playful for about a week. Now i hardly see them. Tonight i actually moved stuff around to look for them to make sure they were still alive, and they thankfully are. I think i might buy 1 more becasue the original clown doesn't spend alot of time with the other 2.

 

[JDH]

Just to give an update from my last post from a few hours ago, the lights are out in the tank, and all 3 loaches are out swimming and searching for food. I was actually very worried about them, but i guess they come out only at night now, that's why i keep missing them. They used to be out during the day, but if i remember correctly they're naturally more active at night?!?! I'm glad to see they're having fun in the tank.