Would my Betta be happy with 2 Clown Loaches?

[nuckfluckchuckbuck]

Hi everyone,

I just wondered what the general opinion was on keeping a couple of Clown Loaches with my Crowntail Betta??? I've seen some in several LFS's, but don't know whether to buy or not....

I have heard two opposing opinions... one LFS said they should be no problem at all, and another said no-way, because the Betta would see the bright colours as a threat...

What do you think?

 

[WILDER]

How big is the tank, anyway betta's don't like to be kept in large tanks.

 

[nuckfluckchuckbuck]

it's 120 litres (about 27 UK gallons...)

 

[WILDER]

No I wouldn't you do no that clown loaches need at least a 90 gal tank as they get bigger.

 

[nuckfluckchuckbuck]

No - I didn't know they needed something as big as 90 gallons!! That's a big tank!

We successfully kept a pair of clown loaches when I was much younger, but we never had a Betta with them..... They stopped growing at about 10cm or so...

Is it guaranteed that a Clown Loach will get big enough to need such a big tank, or are they more often much smaller when adults?

 

[WILDER]

http/species.fishindex.com/species_2858b...lown_loach.html

 

[nuckfluckchuckbuck]

Wow!

Thanks Wilder - that was some good info... It mentioned that their growth rate was slow, and the ones I've seen are still teeny tiny , so I suppose I could buy 2-3 and see how they get on... it will take them some time before they need a 90G tank, and I'm certain I will have one by then..... I have 5 already with my biggest being about 60G.... My next planned purchase as it happens is a 450litre (99 UK gallons) so I'm sure I'll be able to accomodate them in the future

I can't wait to hear their clicking noises when they get bigger!

 

[LoachLover]

Yes a betta would get along with clown loaches. You tank is to small though and you should have a group of 4 loaches.

 

[ccg]

As stated, you need a bigger tank for loaches.

As for Wilder's statement, I am sure a betta would love his tank. What do you mean they don't like large tanks? I kept one in a 35 gallon for years and he seemed happy, but how would we know, neither of us are a betta I guess.

 

[LoachLover]

I'm not sure where this rumor of the betta only liking small tanks since it's totally not true. I've got a male betta in a 55 gallong community tank and he's thriving!

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i think the "big tanks are not for bettas" concept isn't directly connected to the betta's renowned ability to thrive in small spaces. bettas are a generally sensitive to perceived threats and are more easily excited into fight/flight mode than most fish their size. additionally, the fish which a betta won't tolerate are almost completely unpredictable. since bettas are known to be incompatible with most other semi-aggressive fish due to their slow speed, they are generally kept in large community tanks when not kept alone. therefore the odds of a betta simply exhausting himself in protecting his territory will rapidly increase in larger tanks, which contain not only more space for a betta to patrol but more potential "threats" to stress him into over-protectiveness. in short, its not the excess space that is detrimental, but the potential for over-stimulation.

going back to the original topic, i think that clown loaches wouldn't be a bad decision necessarily and your 60g would get them through more than just 2-3 years. the only thing is that after a while, your betta tank will be needing more inhabitants again! what if instead of clowns, you added a school of cory cats? i actually wouldn't be suprised if you already had some in one of your bigger tanks. if you really wanted some clowns, you should go on ahead and get several (4-6) for one of the larger tanks. i'd just put corys with the betta (but that's just me )

--
i agree that bettas are perfectly happy in most of the 40g and unders, but i've only rarely seen reports of bettas thriving in anything over that. actually, the largest tank i can remember having a male betta thrive in is a 55g...

 

[LoachLover]

Well another thing is, clown loaches are great first, I love them. They are the most popular so you've probably heard of them first and yada yada yada

But there are some really awesome loaches that stay under 6 inches, here are some of my favorites.....




Botia Kubotai
Zebra Loach
Yoyo Loach
Khuli Loach
Zipper Loach
Batik Loach



Those are just a few of many

 

[Eunen_de]

Bettas being Anabantids often live in areas that most other fish can't tolerate. They are not often attacked by other fish in these habitats. Probably they are mainly attacked by mammals going fishing. Why would they need to evolve to be frightened of or aggressive to other types of fish? Most people describe their Bettas as lethargic or as one person put it 'autistic' meaning off in their own world, not concerned about their surroundings. That sounds more in keeping with something that has fewer natural enemies. Unlike my Danios (from near the bottom of the fish food chain) who are now flipping out everytime I walk near the tank or turn the room lights on.

Aside from other males encroaching on their territory they only need to chase away anything that comes too close to their nest and may snack on their fry. I suspect some Bettas have a stronger protect potential nest/fry in territory instinct which may account for attacks on fish that are nothing like another Betta. Overall though they seem to be the ones getting picked on. Probably because they lack the level of fear and self-defense instincts that other fish have