Clown Loaches

[Drlife202]

Can anyone tell me about Clown Loaches, i'm keen on buying 1 or 2 and i'm also keen on breeding them. Are they easy to breed? Also what size do they grow to, I would br thinking about putting them in a community tank.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Lateral Line]

Clown loaches grow to up to 12"/300mm although not often, still big fish, and should be kept in groups of 3 or more.

Breeding in captivity is not possible without hormone injections and requires very special techniques.

 

[Drlife202]

Sorry for posting this thread in the wrong place Also thanks for the information. So basicly Clown loaches cannot be breaded at home and also a group of 3 would be good?

Well at the momment in my community tank I have:
7 Black Neon Tetras,
1 sucking loach
3 platies
3 guppies
10 or more platie fry

I dont know if I could get theese in.

 

[ryan]

As LL says, breeding is near impossible. There is one vague report I read I while back of Clowns breeding in the average community aquarium. They showed some strange behaviour and were in a group with all fish being near maximum size.

How big is you tank?

 

[Drlife202]

It holds 15 gallons of water.

 

[drobbins27]

NONONO, no clowns in a 15g tank!

 

[Drlife202]

Well my tank is around a 15g tank, not 100 % I dont think I will get them, but when I buy another tank I will. I have the information I need about them now.

 

[Yenko]

I have 2 clown loaches in my 32 gallon tank right now. I realize that they will outgrow it, but that will be in at least a year and a half, and I'll have a bigger fishtank then. Would getting a 3rd one be a good or bad idea? Although it is another fish that will get big, they do like company.

 

[drobbins27]

Well, if your going to upgrade....I cant see it hurting

 

[surfer3]

Clown loaches are very slow growers and wont reach 12 inches for many years. I think that if you plan to upgrade in several years they will be fine. As far as breeding goes clown loaches dont reach sexual maturity till around 8 inches. There have been reports of them breeding in large community tanks but these are just freak occurences. Personally if I were gonna try to keep them in a tnak that size id keep the stock of the tank down.

 

[Fresh_Start]

I have never bought Clown Loaches as they grow very large and are supposed to be kept in a group. When I was a kid I always remember wanting to get them but they were too expensive plus my tanks were too small.

 

[Yenko]

I think I'll go this weeked and get the 3rd clown loach, if the good LFS has a healthy looking stock. I'll also try and get them to take my CAE and see if I can get some otocinclus in return.