New Clown Loach

[PermanentXHate]

Recently we've had a slight problem with snails and my hubby went to Pet Smart today and asked how we could possibly fix it. The lady told us that a Clown Loach could help because they eat snails. He came home with one.

What should I expect from a Clown Loach and is there anything I should consider when taking care of him?

 

[Rubix]

yes, they need to be kept in groups of at least 5 and in a tank of at least 75 gallons, they get large. i suppose they'd be ok in a 55 gallon (4 foot tank) for a few months though. additionally they should be kept in a tank with lots of current, the more the better. and as with most other fish hiding places dont hurt either. petsmart shouldnt even be selling clowns, their information on them (and all other loaches) is completely wrong.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cyprinid...rolling-Snails/

 

[PermanentXHate]

yes, they need to be kept in groups of at least 5 and in a tank of at least 75 gallons, they get large. i suppose they'd be ok in a 55 gallon (4 foot tank) for a few months though. additionally they should be kept in a tank with lots of current, the more the better. and as with most other fish hiding places dont hurt either. petsmart shouldnt even be selling clowns, their information on them (and all other loaches) is completely wrong.
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cyprinid...rolling-Snails/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cyprinid...rolling-Snails/[/URL]

That's really not good because I only have a 32 gallon.

:[

What should I do?!

 

[PermanentXHate]

bump

 

[Themuleous]

I hate when shops tell people to get clowns for snail control! They get far to large for most home aquariums. The dwarf chain loach is a much better option and would fit pretty much any tank.

Sorry to say it but you should have done some research first. Never get a fish without first checking that you can provide for all of its needs. I fell into the very same trap when I started in the hobby and now have 4x 4-5" clowns to home long term. Fortunately I have talked the wife into getting a much bigger tank to keep them in until their old age, but I always check a fish out before getting it now.

As you are in this situation already, I would either get some more and start saving for a bigger tank, or take them back and rant at the shop owner as they should not have sold you a single clown loach for snail control, there are better fish for that which dont require you to remortgage the house.

It is worth saying that clowns take years, literally to get to even 6" so you do have some time to play with. However companionship is essential.

Hope that helps.

Sam

 

[loachman]

I hate when shops tell people to get clowns for snail control! They get far to large for most home aquariums. The dwarf chain loach is a much better option and would fit pretty much any tank.

Sorry to say it but you should have done some research first. Never get a fish without first checking that you can provide for all of its needs. I fell into the very same trap when I started in the hobby and now have 4x 4-5" clowns to home long term. Fortunately I have talked the wife into getting a much bigger tank to keep them in until their old age, but I always check a fish out before getting it now.

As you are in this situation already, I would either get some more and start saving for a bigger tank, or take them back and rant at the shop owner as they should not have sold you a single clown loach for snail control, there are better fish for that which dont require you to remortgage the house.

It is worth saying that clowns take years, literally to get to even 6" so you do have some time to play with. However companionship is essential.

Hope that helps.

Sam

I agree 100%.

Clown loaches are the worst loach to recommend people get for snail control. They get way too big. When you consider they need to be in groups, very few people who get them can properly care for them.

It is even more of an issue because none of the other common loaches (zebra, kubotai, and yoyos) get to be 1/2 the size of an adult clown loach and dwarf chain loaches (Y. sidthimunki) are under 3 inches. These are all much better choices and are good community fish.

 

[PermanentXHate]

I hate when shops tell people to get clowns for snail control! They get far to large for most home aquariums. The dwarf chain loach is a much better option and would fit pretty much any tank.

Sorry to say it but you should have done some research first. Never get a fish without first checking that you can provide for all of its needs. I fell into the very same trap when I started in the hobby and now have 4x 4-5" clowns to home long term. Fortunately I have talked the wife into getting a much bigger tank to keep them in until their old age, but I always check a fish out before getting it now.

As you are in this situation already, I would either get some more and start saving for a bigger tank, or take them back and rant at the shop owner as they should not have sold you a single clown loach for snail control, there are better fish for that which dont require you to remortgage the house.

It is worth saying that clowns take years, literally to get to even 6" so you do have some time to play with. However companionship is essential.

Hope that helps.

Sam

I agree 100%.

Clown loaches are the worst loach to recommend people get for snail control. They get way too big. When you consider they need to be in groups, very few people who get them can properly care for them.

It is even more of an issue because none of the other common loaches (zebra, kubotai, and yoyos) get to be 1/2 the size of an adult clown loach and dwarf chain loaches (Y. sidthimunki) are under 3 inches. These are all much better choices and are good community fish.

Usually I do research before because I am completely anal about it. Once I get a fish I can't take it back. Even if I don't like it, cause to me that's like giving birth and going "i dont like the color of your hair so im just gonna throw you away and see what i get next!"

My hubby brought this one home. I always research he however does not.

Tank Upgrade here I come!

 

[smithrc]

"55 gallon (4 foot tank) for a few months though"

Slightly panicy here... Yes they will get big... but not quickly... I guess it is small - say 1.5" at the moment....
Give it 4-5 yeays and it'll be about 6-7"... so no big rush...

we have 10 of them - 5 in a 100gal and 5 in a 60gal... the largest is about 4 years old, is nice and fat and about 5-6" (not measured him)

so a small group of 3 or 4 will be fine in a 32 gal for a couple of years at least.

 

[PermanentXHate]

"55 gallon (4 foot tank) for a few months though"

Slightly panicy here... Yes they will get big... but not quickly... I guess it is small - say 1.5" at the moment....
Give it 4-5 yeays and it'll be about 6-7"... so no big rush...

we have 10 of them - 5 in a 100gal and 5 in a 60gal... the largest is about 4 years old, is nice and fat and about 5-6" (not measured him)

so a small group of 3 or 4 will be fine in a 32 gal for a couple of years at least.

True true.
But I decided that I want him to have a better happier home as I cannot add more fish right now.

I took him back.

I'm gonna miss him!

:[

P.S. LOVE YOUR STRIPED PLEC!!! AHHH!