New Clown Loaches And Old Clown Loaches

[aemorgan]

I've had three clown loaches in a 75 gallon tank for about 7 years now. They're pretty large - about 6". One of them died a few months ago, which I think was due to a problem with our water. It's all sorted out now and my remaining two clown loaches are doing well. However, two loaches is not enough loaches. I know they do better in large groups. I can't possibly buy additional loaches the same size as the ones I have now - stores don't even carry ones this size and even if they did, they'd be prohibitively expensive. I'm wondering if it's alright to add some small ones. Our local stores have loaches that are only about 1"-2". I think it should be fine because loaches aren't excessively territorial, but thought I'd try to find out if anyone has ever added much younger clown loaches to an established tank to see if there were any suggestions on how to make it a successful addition.

Thanks!

 

[Steve Randell]

I have 15 clown loaches largest at around 9" tapering down to smallest at approx 2"
i have introduced new loaches to te tank over the period of the last 5 years and there has never been any
conflict or aggresion (apart from dominance battles) the largr loach pretects the smaller ones against all my other fish. I wouldnt expect much growth from the smaller loach (tank size depending) due to the hormones the dominant loach releases into the water,
Hope this helps

Steve

 

[loachman]

Many people keep groups of mixed sizes. Shouldn't be an issue.

 

[onebto]

Yeah they will fit in fine

Regards onebto

 

[aemorgan]

Thanks everyone - I assumed it would be okay but didn't want to make any mistakes!! Thanks for your help!

 

[psychofish]

Hi Everyone- first post, been in the hobby about 7 years, but not had Clown Loaches for quite a while, as I get really upset when they die and they are so sensitive, but so much fun...Anyway, got 4 Clowns Yesterday from my LFS to go in my 280 litre tank which consists mainly of Tetras, 4 Danios, a Plec and a Siamese Algae Eater and around 10 little Corydoras (Pandas, Albinos and Peppereds). So Other than the Clowns, most fish are only around 1 inch long. When I've had Clowns previously, they've always been elusive and hiding most of the time, but these guys are manic, to the point plants and bogwood is flying! Is this just rough play/ dominance battle? They haven't sat still since I got them, chasing eachother madly up and down the tank. They've had some blood worm this morning which they loved, and there was a lot of clicking which is always lovely to see, but getting a bit worried its getting a bit rough and manic in there, even the Siamese Algae Eater has ducked for cover! They're eating well, and the Cory's are schooling with them and seem to be joining in, jsut worried if they are happy, there's plenty of hiding places for them, 2 castles and plenty of rocks and bogwood, just had horrible feeling they might not like the water to be so crazy in there- paramters are good, Ph6.8, Nitrate, Ammonia and Nitrite all Nil, Tank well cycled as its had tetras in for as long as I can remember, Stress coat is in, nothings died in there, it's just I'm used to Clowns hiding in the most riduculously small places and coming out only of a night. They're about 2inches long at the moment but still by far the biggest fish in the tank, there's plenty of space in there, its pretty understocked really, so there's no need for them to fight over the same castle..I missed having them so much, its lovely to see them so active as long as they're ok, they've even managed to unseat the filter of its housing trying to squeeze up the back of it last night, and one in particular seems to be left out in the cold and getting chased. There's no greying out yet though...Am I missing something? I thought the bloodworm would settle them down, its made them ten times worse!

Thanks guys...

 

[mossy69056]

they will be fine
its good to see them active
i have 29 clown loaches and they to a nuts,shoaling together messing and playing dead
they are mighty entertaining to look at
as long as they are well fed they will be fine
try them on some brine shrimp with garlic aswell as flake food
but they will do best with bloodworm and some veg
i keep them in with big cichlids so there not too aggressive

rgds

 

[simonas]

they will be fine
its good to see them active
i have 29 clown loaches and they to a nuts,shoaling together messing and playing dead

rgds

would love to see the pics of all your clowns

 

[onebto]

I do not think you have anything to worry about psychofish.
Your Clown loaches are just getting settled in. It maybe the case that there sorting out there dominance but that is perfectly normal
Being allusive during the day is normal but being energetic and boisterous is also normal I would enjoy them while there out

You mentioned in your post that your Nitrates are 0? that is not the norm? In my experience a properly cycled tank usually shows something what test kit do you use? and check the age of the kit as they can give false readings if there old.

The other thing I would suggest is check your filter you mentioned the Clowns unseated it? Sounds like you have an internal filter which is okay it maybe the case that you need to check its securing. You may want to look into getting an external filter it would give you more flexibility as the clowns grow it would help you to filter the water more efficiently.

Sounds like your Clowns are in good hands, it would be great to see some pictures of your tank and fish if you get the opportunity.

Regards onebto.