Clown Loach?

[Fish_Girl]

ive been advised to get some clown loach in a week or twos time to help with snail pest problems(only got first fish today, also got two plants) however, ive been reading up and have found that they grow to be a foot long! i only have a 54 litre tank so obviously this is a problem. i read that you should get 3/4 clown loach as they like company, so major problem!

i was wondering how long on average they take to reach their full length? i would eventually like to get a bigger tank, but that wouldnt be in the near future! if they are slow growers then it might not be so much of a problem...what do you guys think? should i get the loach? or just try the lettuce method?

 

[Wonderboy]

ive been advised to get some clown loach in a week or twos time to help with snail pest problems(only got first fish today, also got two plants) however, ive been reading up and have found that they grow to be a foot long! i only have a 54 litre tank so obviously this is a problem. i read that you should get 3/4 clown loach as they like company, so major problem!

i was wondering how long on average they take to reach their full length? i would eventually like to get a bigger tank, but that wouldnt be in the near future! if they are slow growers then it might not be so much of a problem...what do you guys think? should i get the loach? or just try the lettuce method?

Have you got a snail problem already??

Why not try some of the smaller of the botias (clown loach is a botia), as most botias eat snails. Example: Queen loach/botia, or yo yo botia...

If you're not too sure on what the heck I'm talking about, read this: BOTIAS!!! - Good, easy info!

What else are you planning for your tank?

~ Wonderboy!!

 

[Fish_Girl]

thanks for your reply and link(will have a look through that now!)

no i dont think i have a snail problem already-my fiances Dad has been keeping fish for a few years though and he was the one that told me to get clown loach otherwise i will have a snail problem didnt really like the idea of the snails being eaten(im soft like that) but even if i were to use the lettuce method they would still die once out of the water if they have no where else to go wont they?

the other fish im hoping to get are guppies, neon tetras, female bettas, corydoras, and maybe a dwarf frog. i will be looking into all these fish more before i decide and making sure they are all suitable for a community tank(which i think they are???) i will be getting them over time though! think id like my next fish to be corydoras if possible-they look like such cool little fish!

 

[The-Wolf]

there are three botias that spring to mind for your small tank
B.rostrata, B.striata & B.sidthimunki.
any other botia will get too big.
also botias are gregarious and do best in groups of three or more.

 

[Barracuda518]

the other fish im hoping to get are guppies, neon tetras, female bettas, corydoras, and maybe a dwarf frog. i will be looking into all these fish more before i decide and making sure they are all suitable for a community tank(which i think they are???) i will be getting them over time though! think id like my next fish to be corydoras if possible-they look like such cool little fish!

Remember that both Neons and Cories like to be in groups. Neons in 6+ and cories in at least 3, really more. Keep that in mind when you begin stocking the rest of the tank, especially if you decide to get some loaches too.

 

[Wonderboy]

Why don't you go ahead and hold off for a little while with the botia and begin with your stocking plan. The smaller botias are usually harder to find - as clown loaches are everywhere. Finding one may buy you the time you need to develop a snail problem. I've been keeping one of my tanks for a long time without any botia in it, and I have no problem with snails - yes, it's a planted tank - just make sure you wash everything that comes from your lfs. If you inherit snails later on, just be sure to leave a couple spots open in your tank for a pair of 2" - 4" botias (I wouldn't go over 4 inches!).

And don't let snails being killed bother you. If you do get them in your tank at good numbers like they invaded one of my tanks, you'll want to make a snail-buster suit and go out into the world to destroy all of the snails. There's a bazillion-million of 'em out there!

Wow, sorry... got a little carried away ! haha

~ Wonderboy!

 

[Fish_Girl]

thanks for the replies again guys. and LOL wonderboy

i think your right, ive only had my tank a day after all!! this is what comes of being a worry wort

yep, il worry about it if i ever do get a problem. ive been told that my tank will happily hold 25 fish, but dont think id go that high anyway.

and i dont mind having atleast 3 cories-they are such gorgeous fish i could watch them all day! definately think they will be my next fish*goes to look about cories*

 

[Barracuda518]

thanks for the replies again guys. and LOL wonderboy

i think your right, ive only had my tank a day after all!! this is what comes of being a worry wort

yep, il worry about it if i ever do get a problem. ive been told that my tank will happily hold 25 fish, but dont think id go that high anyway.

and i dont mind having atleast 3 cories-they are such gorgeous fish i could watch them all day! definately think they will be my next fish*goes to look about cories*

The more cories you have, the more you will see them. Keep in mind also that you will need 3 or more of the same species of cory. If you have more then one type, then they might not school together. You might want to consider the Bronze and Albino C. Aeneus. They are very hardy and very active. They will probably even spawn for you if you have the right conditions. Let us know what you decide.