Clown Loaches

[pnyklr3]

I have 3 clown loaches in my 55 gallon. At feeding time, they are at the top of the tank, hoarding as much of the food as they can get. If I am feeding flakes, they actually zoom about upright (mouth to the surface) eating like little lawn mowers. Any idea of why they do this? Anyone else's do this? They have actually bullied my dwarf cichlid out of food a few times.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Lol, little lawnmowers.....ha! I can just picture it now!

Anyways, no, my 3 clown loaches were neva like that. Maybe you have hungy hungy loaches!

Anyways, hold the flake under-neath the waters surface, so it absorbes water, and so it sinks fast. Dont just chuck it on the waters surface. They are bottum feeders remember. This way, they should eat at whats beneath the water and give time for your other fish to eat!

Benny

 

[Hooligan]

Mine swim upto the surface to feed like that. I agree they are like little lawn-mowers. I wouldn't worry too much just put enough in so that all the fish get sufficient.

HTH
Lisa

 

[pnyklr3]

Yeah, they have about tripled in size since I got them about 6 months ago. They always seems to have fat bellies, too. They are always feeding at the top, as if they know there will be food at the bottom later. I've even tried to drop in algae tabs when I feed so that there is something for them, but they take a look at the tabs and cruise up to the top to eat the nice meat that I feed my cichlids (brine shrimp, blood worms, a veggie/krill combo, and cichlid chow). These are all frozen, then thawed, foods (with the chow being their least favorite). I was told that clowns need a healthy amount of meat and veggies so that's why I toss in algae tabs (that and because my swords look like swiss cheese; they don't even leave the new growth alone!).

They never seem to stop eating or looking for food. I hope their growth rate slows down; which I assume it will. If not, I guess these came from a breeder in a "biohazard" area!

 

[LoachLover]

Mine do that, Clown loaches aren't a known bottom feeder that will wait for their food to come to them

 

[pnyklr3]

Good to know! I must say that I found this website after I bought the little guys. Luckily I bought 3, but had no idea what i was in for. I muts say, though, that I am pleased as punch that I have them (and they are a great excuse to upgrade)!

I guess I'll continue watching them "mow the lawn."

 

[LoachLover]

Just get them a DR