Clown Loach Query?

[robyngunston]

I got the following advice from an online fish shop about Clown Loaches and wanted to know if you agree/disagree?

"Our clown loach are 5cm, they can grow quite big, but they are very slow growing, it may out grow your tank in 10 years. So you should be ok with them"

"5 cm is the smallest size we get in, the smaller they are the more fragile they are. If the clown loach were the only fish you could fit 10 in there. They can live for 20 years"

Surely I couldn't fit 10 in my tank? That would be overcrowded?

 

[Xebadir]

Definitely not 10 in the tank (especially if it the one in your profile) These fish while slowish at growing reach sizes commonly 8" but have been known to hit 1ft long.

With respect to keeping any at all in your tank i wouldnt reccomend it just because the size is too small for this grouping fish(prefers groups 6+). Id suggest looking at another type of bottom dweller: maybe corydoras? or the smaller plecos. Hope this helps, i definitely wouldnt trust that online fish seller.

Definitely Disagree

 

[MoMa]

I would second Xeb's answer. If you can get a larger tank, do so, as Clown Loaches are a blast to watch. If you're looking for another "bottom dweller" with personality to fit in that tank, I'd go with Oto Cats. They are shoaling (get 3-5 of them) and they stay small (about 2 1/4 inches). They have strange habits that can be quite entertaining to watch.

 

[2polypterus]

Most of that advice seems designed to sell you something! The only part I personally agree with is that the smaller the clown loach, the more fragile. I would not put any clown loaches in a twelve gal. It is just way too small. Especially since they are a def. schoaling fish. What about a school of pygmy cories?

 

[robyngunston]

Thanks for all the advice!!

Just what I suspected...they are just trying to sell me fish without any concern for their welfare.

 

[MoMa]

Just what I suspected...they are just trying to sell me fish without any concern for their welfare.

If I were in your shoes, I would check out some of the other profiles on this board to see who else is from Scotland. See who's semi-close to you and check out some of their posts. Do they seem to know what they're talking about? If so, PM them, and ask what shops they use.

And congratulations to you for cycling your tank first, you're already waaaaaaaaaay ahead of the game.

 

[robyngunston]

Just what I suspected...they are just trying to sell me fish without any concern for their welfare.

If I were in your shoes, I would check out some of the other profiles on this board to see who else is from Scotland. See who's semi-close to you and check out some of their posts. Do they seem to know what they're talking about? If so, PM them, and ask what shops they use.

And congratulations to you for cycling your tank first, you're already waaaaaaaaaay ahead of the game.

Good idea MoMa!
Thanks