Clown Loaches

[ycycle]

About 3 weeks ao I bought 3 Clown Loaches. Reputed to be good for getting rid of snails. I put them in my tank with my Corys and Neons and for the first few days they just swam around disturbing my corys and stealing their caves. But since then I rarely see them unless I'm cleaning the tank. I thought they were supposed to be lively but all they do is hide. I don't even see them when food is put in. I know my corys are quite shy but they do come out at night when I turn the lights off.
My water stats are fine and there are no problems. Temp, 24c Amm 0, Nitrates 20, Nitrites 0. I clean the excess waste in the tank every couple of days and I water change 10% every week. The Clowns will not be staying indefinately in my 22 gal tank, as they are eventually going into my husbands 125gal tank but they are only 2 inches long at the moment. Unfotunately the smaller fish in his tank tend to get bitten when they get between the mbu and his mussels. Otherwise this is a very peaceful tank.
I don't want to move them until they are a bit bigger but why do they hide so much. I do have caves in my tank because the corys like to hide during the day but i was told Clowns are more active.

 

[Mr Miagi]

They might feel frightened by something in the tank or out. Mine were quite shy and reclusive aswell. Nothing to fear if they continue to grow and put on weight.

 

[ycycle]

Thanks. they appear to be fine in every other way when they get disturbed or feel brave but as they are the big fish in this tank there are no real dangers. 2 appear to have paired off and the third is usually on its own. I use catfish pellets, flake, bloodworm and beef heart. Is there a better food for them?

 

[Clairel]

They are actually nocturnal this is why.

I have 2, and for the first 2 weeks, i never saw them, only at night, then after 2 weeks, they did start to venture out in the day, but they tend to sleep most of the day, and come alive at night....

Hope this helps


C x

 

[iron maiden fan]

strange I got some about 2 days ago and they spend all their time playing at the front of the tank

 

[kat and james]

clown loach aren't actaully nocturnal (at least from my research, and my/friends experience) ! they could just be getting used to thier tank.. they tend to be a little more cautious than other fish, as they have skin instead of scales, once they get used to thier surroundings, thier tankmates, and the surroundings outside of the tank they should be a bit more sociable (they are very easily scared by sudden movements outside the tank).

our larger clowns are out in the morning and tend to go back to bed in the afternoon, the two smaller ones stay out for most of the day, and calm down at night.

you could try feeding them cucumber.. just weigh it down, and once they realise it won't attack them, they should start eating it!