Clowon Loaches....

[Angry_Platy]

As some of you may have seen in pics section, I got my first clown loaches yesterday...they are doing great.....acting crazy as I expected....and eating normally and basically acting like nuts.

Minor problem though....they seem to like getting into my HOB filter....and the only way they can do this is through the point where the water flows out......and don't like me when I put them back into the tank....does anyone else have experience with their loaches doing this and if so what did you do to stop it? At the moment I have various items blocking their entry into the filter while at the same time allowing the water to cascade like it is meant to. I was thinking about some kind of mesh....

Also....since they are managing to get into the filter is it possible they could also manage to get themselves out of the tank?....The filter thing isn't a major issue for me....provided I check frequently the longest they will be in there is 8 hours....and the water is deep enough for them to move about if they are in there this long (and it is the cleanest place to be I guess.....or is it??)....Obviously I would be more concerned if they got themselves out and onto the carpet...there is a slight gap at the back of the tank due to the HOB filter.....that said....I have now blocked that as well with more items scavenged from the kitchen...so far so good....no escaped loaches into the filter or otherwise...

I'd be interested in hearing anyone elses experiences with this!!

 

[rvm]

When I first got my clowns, they were always looking for somewhere to hide, and scared the hell out of me on a number of occasions when I couldn't find one or all of them!
I would guess that they have figured out that the filter is the most covered place in thier new home and that is where they get the most peace and quiet!! Make sure they have plenty of other hiding places (you'll be amazed at what they can fit into!!) and try to get something to cover up that filter outlet, and they should be fine.
Mine took about 2-3 months before they started coming out during the day, and still run away when they see me moving (unless I have food that is!! )
I've never had any of them try and escape; infact they very rarely swim above halfway up the tank, so I don't think that is the problem, they just wanna hide

 

[Eelzor]

My Clown loaches have a very hidey attitude. When I first got my large ornament for the tank they all resorted to that and didn't seem to come out much (especially when the lights were on), after when I purchased some bogwood for them, all 4 of the fatties stuffed themselves in the cubicle - I have no idea how the hell they got in their (or how they would get out ), but they were just piled on top of each other.

Regarding your problem, this is what a recommend. If it doesn't work, well, I tried . Clown Loaches seem to have a strong liking for bogwood/driftwood. Get a decent peice for them all to hide in and they usually like to go in it. I think it's the amazony stench or something that they like about it, but hey, there's my 2 cents.

 

[Lateral Line]

There was some discussion of this behaviour in this thread. The main thing is to be sure their excursion are safe, i.e. they cannot leave the tank altogether and cannot get into the pump which will obviously mince them.