Is It Normal For Clown Loaches To Turn Pale When The Lights Are On?

[barbxra]

Hi,
I know that loaches like to hide but whenever I turn on the light, their black stripes turn to a light purple color. I know that happens when they get scared, but they stay like that the entire time the lights are on. Is that normal? or is there something wrong with my water? I don't think there's a lack of space because I only have one gourami, one black ghost knife, and the two loaches in a 16 gallon bow front. (my pleco recently jumped out and died ) Please help!

 

[drobbyb]

Hi,
I know that loaches like to hide but whenever I turn on the light, their black stripes turn to a light purple color. I know that happens when they get scared, but they stay like that the entire time the lights are on. Is that normal? or is there something wrong with my water? I don't think there's a lack of space because I only have one gourami, one black ghost knife, and the two loaches in a 16 gallon bow front. (my pleco recently jumped out and died ) Please help!

I hate to be the one to point this out, but I feel I should. Black ghost knife fish get to be up to 24 inches long, and clown loaches eventually top out around 12 inches. Your tank is simply too small to house these large fish. Clown loaches should be kept in a small group of at least 3. They may be fine now, but not for long. I would advise rehousing these fish.

 

[Colin_T]

yes it's normal for their colour to fade in a brightly lit tank. If you have lots of plants in the tank their colour won't fade as much. If you don't have any plants in the tank then having less light (one globe instead of two) on the tank will make them feel more secure and less likely to fade.

And as mentioned by drobby, you might be needing a bigger tank in the future, (next 12 months or so)

 

[barbxra]

I just switched from a 10 to this 16. The ghost is only 6 inches and the loaches are about 2 inches each, so I am aware of the size of the tank. I have a strip light on the top of the tank and I can't seem to find strip bulbs less than 15 watts

 

[drobbyb]

I just switched from a 10 to this 16.

That won't be large enough for long. I am saying you are going to need a 4 foot tank 75 G or larger in the course of a year. Big fish do not adapt to small confines. They will still grow.