Clown loaches

[Salts155R]

I know I’m going to get a grilling for this but I’m waiting for my fx4 and lighting to turn up for my trigon350 before I get any more clown loaches.

it’s not often I see them out but when I do my 2 clown loaches are always together, this morning I noticed that they have found a new hiding place (although in plan sight of me)

they have been really close together to the point they are touching each other. I’m a beginner with these and I would have said mating behaviour but being a novice with loaches is this normal behaviour.

Videos attached.

 

[Fishmar]

it's common for them to do lots of weird things, they are pretty silly. I've seen them swimming upside down, playing dead, etc

 

[Salts155R]

it's common for them to do lots of weird things, they are pretty silly. I've seen them swimming upside down, playing dead, etc

Awesome, thanks for the info. They are pretty mesmerising to watch when they come out.

Had a disaster with the tank this morning. Thankfully these guys seem ok but lost 4 cardinals over night.

 

[ClownLurch]

My favourite fish but it’ll take a lottery win for me to have a tank big enough.

 

[Stan510]

The more the merrier with them. Two will be shy. Six will be out and about much more often. Chances are 5-6" is as big as they will ever get..so a 55 gallon is big enough for a group.
They will grow faster and bigger on live Tubifex,but its not required at all for healthy fish..just some cooked shrimp,quality dry foods and pellets.

 

[seangee]

Chances are 5-6" is as big as they will ever get.

When I kept clown loaches they all got over 10" and I did nothing special. They are also very active. IMO 55G is not even close to big enough. I would suggest a 6' tank as the absolute minimum with a preference for 8'

 

[ClownLurch]

When I kept clown loaches they all got over 10" and I did nothing special. They are also very active. IMO 55G is not even close to big enough. I would suggest a 6' tank as the absolute minimum with a preference for 8'

Agreed.
When I had them first time around they were only a couple of inches long in a 30” tank. The LFS sold me em saying they’d maybe grow another inch. They were haring along the front of the tank from one end to the other regularly. Once I bought a better more up to date fishkeeping book than the ones in the library I gave them back to the LFS. I now realise they’ll have probably went to another tank too small for them.
I think the guilt of that LFS and tank are the reasons Im trying to do the right thing this time around. Hardness/ph/tank size/tank mates Etc wise.
€120m on the euro millions next weekend I believe. Big house, custom built hard wired/plumbed big tanks, indoor and outdoor ponds etc. If any of you lot are ever in the area just pop round...and gaze in awe at my considerably more richer than etc*

*Did Harry Enfield cross the Atlantic?

 

[Salts155R]

The more the merrier with them. Two will be shy. Six will be out and about much more often. Chances are 5-6" is as big as they will ever get..so a 55 gallon is big enough for a group.
They will grow faster and bigger on live Tubifex,but its not required at all for healthy fish..just some cooked shrimp,quality dry foods and pellets.

So after finally moving them into a bigger tank 350L (not their final stop but for them moment till I get something bigger again)

they have been hiding in the log again. One gets its self really well in the gap.
Should I be concerned and try to block up this hole in the wood or will they be ok doing this. Videos below

 

[Colin_T]

You need a decent hollow log or pvc pipe for them to hide in during the day.

They don't normally get stuck but if it continues sticking its hea din the log and has trouble getting out, then fill the gap with some aquarium silicon.

 

[Salts155R]

You need a decent hollow log or pvc pipe for them to hide in during the day.

They don't normally get stuck but if it continues sticking its hea din the log and has trouble getting out, then fill the gap with some aquarium silicon.

Thanks Colin, I’ll find them a nice hallow log or a pipe then cover the top with some substrate and plants.
Legend as always, thank you

 

[Stan510]

They love logs. Just top notch to them. They do not get stuck.