Clown Loach

[Floyds mum]

Will the above eat snails?

 

[onebto]

Oh yes BUT

Have you read up on them?

They are very social so you need a minimum of 3 I would say 5 minimum.

They also grow to 12 inches in size and can live 15 years plus so there not a fish to by just for the sake of removing a snail problem.

They adore snails cant get enough of them

They are a very satisfying fish to keep but depends on who you talk to you need to have 70 gallon tank minimum to keep them in but this is an absolute minimum 100+ is better.

Being a river fish they love a decent flow in the tank as well.

There are other loaches that can be fit in smaller tanks that also enjoy snails mmmmm yummy.

Check this out: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953</a>

<a href="http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown...ia-macracanthus" target="_blank">http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown...ia-macracanthus</a>

 

[Floyds mum]

Oh yes BUT

Have you read up on them?

They are very social so you need a minimum of 3 I would say 5 minimum.

They also grow to 12 inches in size and can live 15 years plus so there not a fish to by just for the sake of removing a snail problem.

They adore snails cant get enough of them

They are a very satisfying fish to keep but depends on who you talk to you need to have 70 gallon tank minimum to keep them in but this is an absolute minimum 100+ is better.

Being a river fish they love a decent flow in the tank as well.

There are other loaches that can be fit in smaller tanks that also enjoy snails mmmmm yummy.

Check this out: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953</a>

<a href="http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown...ia-macracanthus" target="_blank">http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown...ia-macracanthus</a>

Yeah but i couldnt find out if they did or not, plus they are readily available in my lfs.

 

[onebto]

"Yeah but i couldnt find out if they did or not, plus they are readily available in my lfs." ?

What do you mean?

Yes they do eat snails but buying a load of clown loaches is not a good idea for just getting rid of a few snails!

But there are other ways of getting rid of snails!

What size tank do you have?
what filtration does your tank have?
what stock do you have in the tank?

 

[catfish00]

thats why I got a clown loach to get rid of my snails and it works

 

[Lestat999]

thats why I got a clown loach to get rid of my snails and it works

Just one?

 

[onebto]

Yes what Lestat999 said ?

Just to get rid of a few snails?

Do you know anything about Clown loaches?

 

[catfish00]

yes they need to be in groups of 2-5

 

[aly_starh]

WOAH, i dont reccommend you getting clown loaches just to get rid of a few snails.

Not good for the filter and also the wellbeing of the fish is at stake.
Why don't you get some assassin snails instead, apparently they work.

 

[onebto]

betta is write getting a clown loach to get rid of a snail problem is well forgive me for saying this stupid!

Do you know how big a clown loach gets if you manage to get them to maturity

and as for numbers try 4 minimum how big is your tank ?

 

[aly_starh]

betta is write getting a clown loach to get rid of a snail problem is well forgive me for saying this stupid!

Do you know how big a clown loach gets if you manage to get them to maturity

and as for numbers try 4 minimum how big is your tank ?

On her profile it says 64l and 29l.

It will get to around half the size of the 2 foot tank.

 

[crazychris]

I have two big lovely clowns, 6" long each, in a 3ft tank and they're absolutely fine. I don't think you always need huge tanks. Saw my lfs sell 4 yesterday to a guy with a 2ft tank and he just said "when they're bigger just bring 'em back and swap for smaller ones again" They're hugely popular and not everyone who wants some can afford or accomodate a big tank. My tank was full of snails but my clowns and 4 Pakistani loaches have got rid of them all!! Not one to be found now.

 

[bitteraspects]

Do any of you have ANY clue how EXTREMELY SLOW clown loaches grow? Any clue at all?
You really shouldn't harass people on subjects you're obviously not familiar with.
You're right, they will need a 100+ gal tank... In 10 years or so.


OP: as long as your water parameters are fit to house a CL, you will be fine. But please make sure you check these before moving forward with purchase.
Beyond that, tank size will not be an issue for a few YEARS. (a quick search on clown loach growth rate will show you why)
Also, in the case you have them long enough t outgrow your tank, and you are not able to upgrade to a larger tank, you have two options.
A. Turn it into your LFS either for free or for a store credit (if applicable)
B. Sell the fish on your own. Because CL take such a long time to grow, large ones will fetch a pretty penny. You can easily triple you investment if you chose not to keep them. Though I would personally, because I love them. I have 50 now, and will probably get more down the road.

 

[aly_starh]

I have 50 now, and will probably get more down the road.

omg, really? how big is the tank?

 

[onebto]

Do any of you have ANY clue how EXTREMELY SLOW clown loaches grow? Any clue at all?

Well considering I have only had clown loaches for a year I would say I have limited personal experience.

I do however study in great depth before placing any fish in my aquarium.

Also I have studied clowns more since they are my favourites I have also studied articles about stunting fish growth through placing them in inadequate sized tanks.

My concern was originally that a clown loach was purchased to get rid of a snail infestation, not the best idea and the use of singular when mentioning clown loach purchase is not best policy. So then to question do they know how big a clown loach gets is not harassment.

Oh I am aware that they do grow slow, VERY SLOW especially after there first 5 years.

And to care for a loach to get to there larger sizes is quite an accomplishment.