How do I make them click?

[Red]

Ok, the little guys have been with me since Saturday and although I expected them to go into hiding for a few days they've been VERY active since arrival!


I've fed them all sorts of different treats :

defrosted cockles (that they were eating at the LFS)
defrosted bloodworms (they seem to like these but have a little difficulty as their
piece of blanched cucumber (they made short work of that!)
mouths are so small - quite funny to watch, it's like spaghetti!)
good ole aquarian fish flakes
sinking catfish pellets

but there's been no clicking as yet... I wondered if maybe they are too small to be heard above the noise of the filter? The loaches range in size between 1 to 1 and a half inches (not counting tail).

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[SirMinion]

Clown loach click?

We have three at about an inchand a half long and I've often heard a clicking noise when they feed on sinking plec tablets, but I thought it was the tablet tapping against the glass. I hadn't realisised it was the fish!

How do they click?
Why do they click?

 

[Red]

check this out - it's amazing! They sound like popcorn!

http/www.loaches.com/audio_video/click.html

Also there's another post going here about "how" they make the clicking sound.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=56224

 

[CathyG]

I don't know how they click, but they do I have read some theories, but all have differed.

What is amusing, and often have mine in a clicking frenzy, is when I feed them algae tabs...the tabs are convex in shape so often land curved side down - my loach click madly whilst on their backs trying to turn the algae tabs curve side up! Why it is tastier and more fun from the curved side I have no idea lol!

 

[Red]

I really think mine might be too small to be heard.
C'mon all you loach keepers... tell me how big yours are and when they started clicking. Is it a size issue or a settling in period or do I just have to find the right food?

 

[Arashi]

Heehee! My Clowns click for a whole varitety of reasons...they are hungry, are eating algae wafers, are chasing each other around the tank, are trying to get me to feel sorry for them so I'll feed them more...

The first time I ever heard it, I thought it was some little jerky kid throwing pebbles at my window...then I realized that it was the Clowns and I almost died laughing.

I bought mine at about 1.5 inches and my biggest is now getting on 4.5 inches! They started clicking about two weeks after they got settled in...now they do it non-stop! lol!

Clown Loaches are the coolest fish.

 

[Red]

That's helpful.
They're SO lovely!
I would post a pic but the blinking things are camera-shy too!

 

[CathyG]

Mine are about 1.5", 2" and 2.5" respectively. They clicked as soon as I added the smaller one (about three months ago, and a month after the other two). The first two were rather shy until there were three of them, even now the smallest is the boldest, but they all click when eating, even though two of them don't like to be watched lol! I would say it is mood related, and a settling in period should be considered

 

[Arashi]

Mine used to be camera shy, but now they let me take pictures of them all the time! Here's a few pics of my little guys:

All three of them under the rocks:

My medium Clown with my biggest Clown:

And a Clown playing dead:

They are so great!

 

[David]

I have had 1 of mine for several weeks, and I just got the other two this weekend, but so far I haven't heard them click yet. Maybe I'm just not listening hard enough. How loud is it supposed to be?

 

[Arashi]

It's louder than you think, which is why I didn't realize it was them at first! Believe me, when you hear it, you'll know...it's very distinct and very audible (at least from my Loaches it is).

 

[Narayan]

Hmmm... Watching Reds, I was considering getting my own (I didnt realise fish could be so funny), however I have a two problems... I have lobsters/crayfish and takinging into account their size (C/loach or Lobster) I believe that the loaches like a bit of crustacean and my Lobsters (grown ones) like a bit of fish.

See what I mean?

 

[Angry_Platy]

The first time I heard my loaches doing it was in the middle of the night....I am not sure what woke me up but I was hit with a panicnthat my tank was cracking...

So I investigated....and it stopped.....

Turned the lights out and it started....DAMN FISH

They do it whenever they eat food from the bottom of the tank....like cucumber, zucchini, algae tabs etc. When they eat their regular food they are quiet.

I am not sure how big they have to be to click....they have always done it for me....my loachies are about 2-3 inches long!!

I lvoe the little guys....Krusty, Houdini and Ronald

 

[samthefishman]

Mine always made noises... didnt intrest me as i thought they were just eating anyways..
Cool

 

[Cat]

I've heard mine click when they are eating cucumber they love that.