LoachLover
Snails Beware
Since I see a lot of basic questions on keeping Clown Loaches I'm going to write this article. Not that it's bad to ask questions, I'm very happy you are trying to find stuff out about the fish before you buy it or that you already have. So I would appreciate it if a mod would pin this, Thank You. 
Clown loaches should be kept in groups of at least 3 preferably 4+. Minimum size tank would be a standard 55 gallon tank, which is about
48" wide
12" depth
20" tall
Even then they probably will outgrow that tank in a few years. Clown loaches grwo pretty fast up to 6", but after that they grow VERY slow. They are supposidly supposed to have problem with ich, but I have been keeping them for years and have never had one get it. If they have good water conditions they are generally a pretty hardy fish, I've only had one die and that was due to my great cousin and a bar of soap, but we won't go into that.
Generally they will do fine on a flake diet but like us they like to have treats too, I will sometimes feed....
Small snails
Cucumber
Zucchini
Brine Shrimp (frozen or live)
Algae Wafers
Zucchini is better for them than Cucumber, but not everybody has a spare Zucchini around, I know I don't I have to actually buy them just for my fish since I personally don't care for them.
When you go to buy a clown loach try to buy the largest one (unless it's like a giant 12" or something) because they are usually a dominant fish making them generally healthier. It's ok to buy the smaller ones but be warned their survival rate is much lower.
Another things that will alarm a lot of newbie loach owners is the clown loaches playing dead routine. They will sometimes just rest on their side, coming as quite a shock at times. But they are just being their clowny self and are probably ok.
My fist loach was a clown loach and I've been hooked ever since, they are a great fish to have. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, I'll do my best to help you.
Clown loaches should be kept in groups of at least 3 preferably 4+. Minimum size tank would be a standard 55 gallon tank, which is about
48" wide
12" depth
20" tall
Even then they probably will outgrow that tank in a few years. Clown loaches grwo pretty fast up to 6", but after that they grow VERY slow. They are supposidly supposed to have problem with ich, but I have been keeping them for years and have never had one get it. If they have good water conditions they are generally a pretty hardy fish, I've only had one die and that was due to my great cousin and a bar of soap, but we won't go into that.
Generally they will do fine on a flake diet but like us they like to have treats too, I will sometimes feed....
Small snails
Cucumber
Zucchini
Brine Shrimp (frozen or live)
Algae Wafers
Zucchini is better for them than Cucumber, but not everybody has a spare Zucchini around, I know I don't I have to actually buy them just for my fish since I personally don't care for them.
When you go to buy a clown loach try to buy the largest one (unless it's like a giant 12" or something) because they are usually a dominant fish making them generally healthier. It's ok to buy the smaller ones but be warned their survival rate is much lower.
Another things that will alarm a lot of newbie loach owners is the clown loaches playing dead routine. They will sometimes just rest on their side, coming as quite a shock at times. But they are just being their clowny self and are probably ok.
My fist loach was a clown loach and I've been hooked ever since, they are a great fish to have. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, I'll do my best to help you.
