My Clown Loaches Think They Are Tiger Barbs

[dsiegel13]

I just picked up a couple clown loaches to add to the community tank with the Tiger Barbs to keep the bottom clean. Well, it has been two days and both of my loaches think that they are tiger barbs!

Seriously, they school w/ the barbs, they don't spend time on the bottom, and they feed when the barbs feed. Is this normal, this can't be normal?

I understand that they look like skinny tigers, but seriously, they can't be that dumb to believe they are tigers. Tigers don't seem to mind the company and leave the loaches alone, so not worried, just thought it was weird.

See the picture, not the greatest but shows one of them schooling with my barbs.
Edit: Can't figure out how to attach a pic, used to be a button on the editor?

 

[onidrase]

I've heard of them doing this before. Their markings are strikingly similar to the markings of tiger barbs, it might lead to a little confusion.

 

[thereverendturtle]

It's quite a common phenomenon, nothing to worry about.

 

[lilfishie]

its because you only have 2, there shoaling fish happiest in groups of 6 or more but due to there potential size *which i hope you are aware of* very few can house them long term

how many barbs do you have?

 

[dsiegel13]

its because you only have 2, there shoaling fish happiest in groups of 6 or more but due to there potential size *which i hope you are aware of* very few can house them long term

how many barbs do you have?

5 Tiger Barbs, 2 Clowns

Their size? I read that they only get about 4" or so, is that wrong? How big will they get? And how fast will they get that big? I have another 40 gal tank I can rehouse them in, but I won't be able to set the big tank up for about a year or so... hate to have to re-home the clowns right now. Right now they are only about 1" each, a little smaller than my tigers.

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid they get to over a foot long, eventually...

They should hit 6 or 8 inches within a year/18 months; they do slow down a bit after that.

 

[dsiegel13]

I'm afraid they get to over a foot long, eventually...

They should hit 6 or 8 inches within a year/18 months; they do slow down a bit after that.

Crud. I'm going to have to either re-home them or see if the wife will let me set up the 40 gal tank.

Thanks for the info.

 

[lilfishie]

I'm afraid they get to over a foot long, eventually...

They should hit 6 or 8 inches within a year/18 months; they do slow down a bit after that.

Agreed! be interesting to see where is saying 4" though, you could do with a few more Tiger barbs too

 

[dsiegel13]

Agreed! be interesting to see where is saying 4" though, you could do with a few more Tiger barbs too

Got that right from the mouth of my LFS... they were usually pretty spot on w/ their information prior to this "little" inconsistency.

 

[tribalbrit]

Agreed! be interesting to see where is saying 4" though, you could do with a few more Tiger barbs too

Got that right from the mouth of my LFS... they were usually pretty spot on w/ their information prior to this "little" inconsistency.

I know a guy with a shoal that are 12 and 15 inches.

 

[Lestat999]

Agreed! be interesting to see where is saying 4" though, you could do with a few more Tiger barbs too

Got that right from the mouth of my LFS... they were usually pretty spot on w/ their information prior to this "little" inconsistency.

I know a guy with a shoal that are 12 and 15 inches.

I can promise you from experience that they get well over 12" when kept properly!!!