Hiding Loach

[bmcelfresh]

I put a new fixture in my 75gl tank. The two clown loaches, which I have had for a few years and are now about 5" long have decided to hide in the fixture, and I hardly ever see them. I know they have to be coming out to eat, and I have dumped them out of the fixture, so I know they're alive. What can I do to induce them to come back out and swim with the group?

 

[TammyLiz]

Clowns and similar loach species are much more comfortable in a group. If you were to buy three more and add them to the tank (after quarantining them separately first), you would see a huge difference in their confidence level. I'm sure they are appreciating their new hiding place. Loaches like to be able to get away and take a nap.

 

[bmcelfresh]

Thanks for the advice. Had three to start out with, but one did not make it. Might look into a couple of small ones since the tank is full and very busy.

 

[diet]

Clowns and similar loach species are much more comfortable in a group. If you were to buy three more and add them to the tank (after quarantining them separately first), you would see a huge difference in their confidence level. I'm sure they are appreciating their new hiding place. Loaches like to be able to get away and take a nap.

I seem to have the only clown loach who ignores this i love being a group lark!
He did come with two pals but within 2 weeks all 3 had whitespot and two died,

My lil fella runs around with the tiger barbs and is more like them then a clown laoch, he hardly ever hides away, his colour is so vibrant with a really dark black and bright orange, and he wont shut up for clicking!

Anyone else ever exp this?

 

[The-Wolf]

I seem to have the only clown loach who ignores this i love being a group lark!

it is not a lark, as you put it.
clown loaches, like all Botiinaes, are hierarchal in nature and have a very highly developed
sense of group dynamics. they will act far more natural and display far better colouration
if they are in groups so that they can have an alpha, beta etc fish.

 

[morgan]

I also have one Clown Loach. I was advised by LFS (very experienced) that it would school with the two Yoyo Loaches which I bought at the same time. He has grown fast and is brightly coloured. He has never had ich.He seems perfectly happy and swims about and eats well. Having said that I have been told (quite rudely, not on here) that one Clown can't be happy. When I get my larger (100gal) tank I am going to move my large Common to the new tank and get some more Clown Loaches. Just hope they don't fight! PS I bought the loaches a year ago and the Clown is now 5" and big in the body.

 

[diet]

I also have one Clown Loach. I was advised by LFS (very experienced) that it would school with the two Yoyo Loaches which I bought at the same time. He has grown fast and is brightly coloured. He has never had ich.He seems perfectly happy and swims about and eats well. Having said that I have been told (quite rudely, not on here) that one Clown can't be happy. When I get my larger (100gal) tank I am going to move my large Common to the new tank and get some more Clown Loaches. Just hope they don't fight! PS I bought the loaches a year ago and the Clown is now 5" and big in the body.

I have been told quite rudely that one clown is not enough...... even though i then receive comments about how good my clown looks and are my other clowns like it too.......... They r very surprised when i say there is only one!