clown loaches

[C.j]

i just bought 4 clown loaches from my lfs, as the guy claimed they need to be kept in groups.

i just read that they can reach 1 FOOT! my tank is only a 3 foot long!

did i read wrong, if not how many should i take back?

C.j

 

[The-Wolf]

yes they can reach that long and do need to be in groups

how big are they now?
they can take years to reach 6" let alone a foot long.

 

[C.j]

pretty small. about 1 1/2 or 2 inches.

 

[LoachLover]

i just bought 4 clown loaches from my lfs, as the guy claimed they need to be kept in groups.

i just read that they can reach 1 FOOT! my tank is only a 3 foot long!

did i read wrong, if not how many should i take back?

C.j

Don't get mad at the fish store, they do need to be kept in groups of 4, and they do need at least a 55 gallon tank to start with

 

[C.j]

ok my tank is only 40 gals. how long, if at all could i keep these guys before i need to upgrade my tank or rehome them?

 

[LoachLover]

ok my tank is only 40 gals. how long, if at all could i keep these guys before i need to upgrade my tank or rehome them?

For a year or so. You're fine for a little while.

 

[Sorrell]

They only grow 1/2 an inch to an inch a year so you should be good for awhile

 

[bettaninja]

my lfs said get 1 or 3. Is this true? Seems conflicting to what has been said in this thread.

 

[BigLou]

I would get more then three...as they said in this topic...they should be kept in groups.

 

[LoachLover]

I'd say at least 4

 

[Gix]

At least 3 is pretty good. I usually reccomend 5. I would definitely not get one, as the clown will get bored and either:
Screw with the fish/plants/ornaments in your tank and generally make things nervous
Hide and never be seen
Or make escape attempts

A bored clown loach is a dangerous thing

 

[LoachLover]

A bored clown loach is almost dangerous

 

[Yenko]

Clown loaches grow rapidly up to 2" then their growth slows dramatically. I have no idea how long this will take but they should be fine in your 40 gallon tank untill they reach about 3".

 

[LoachLover]

Mine grew fast till 6 inches and then STOPPED and then started growing very slowly again.