Clown Loach Predator

[Diana]

Ditto chefkeith.
Research and then quarantine.

[Mr_Woodchuck]

Ty for info, but I do frequent water changes and the loaches my big loach killed had been in that tank for over 4 weeks with no apparent issues and more lively then the day I bought them. I tend to keep my tank at a constant 24 degrees celcius, and I do have a small 2ft tank that I'm not using that has all the filters and stuff it needs, originally set that up to be a shark tank but they murdered each other... even though I bought them from the same tank on the same day, lol, so that tank is empty and I'm too lazy to set it back up... not to metion the fact that it's nigh on impossible to monitor cause I can't have it anywhere near my main tank

[chefkeith]

You already said "The tank get a 20% water change every 2 weeks". That is not nearly frequent enough. They do best with a 20% water change about 2 times per week.

You also said, "only did a 40% water change every 6 weeks (god only knows how anything survived in that tank, lol)"
" .....everything in my tank was covered with a black layer of algae and my tank's ph readings were pushing 12s. I lost heart with my tank and let it go, only turning the light on for a couple hours a day......"

That is not anything to laugh at. This clown loach is really a victim of abuse. The loach has probably been living in survival mode all this time. It has lived in a prison of stress. I don't know if this kind of anguish can be cured. It will take much time and effort from your part for this fish to rehabilitate if it ever does. A better feeding regimen and fewer tank mates would be a good start. You got to move about half of those fish species out of that tank.

Also 24C is way too cold for clown loaches. 27-28C would be the proper temperature.

Back to feeding. The loach would appreciate some seafood in it's diet, like shrimp/prawns, clams, mussels, or fish like cod. Feed it some insect foods like bloodworms also. Meaty foods is what loaches really enjoy. Mix in some fresh veggies with that also, such as zucchini or cucumber. You must feed the loach like this every day.

Give the loach some more shelter also. The bottom of the tank should be covered with plenty of clay pots, pvc pipe, and other caves. This will make the loach feel more secure and maybe it will be able to sleep and relax more.

Don't make any sudden changes though. The temperature, water parameters, and shelter should be changed slowly.

[Mr_Woodchuck]

I have a big rock with many large holes through it and rock formations making makeshift caves alaong with the fake stump and ship wreck that fish can swim in and hide, ty for the info though chef, I think I spoke too soon about him calming down though, he jut killed my last gourami .

I'm going to try my best to rehabilitate him, but if he costs me much more I doubt such an expense would be viable for only his well being.

[LoachOrgy]

my bigger clowns have been eating my smaller fish lately as well. ive also caught them in the act. try giving him some loach friends. like some other clowns. or whatever type fish he is. ive decided to increase the size of the fish i put in the tank from now on. they haven't been eating the glass fish i have yet. i think its hard for the loaches to see the glass fish. but they have eaten 2.5" cory's with no problems. and im sure they all chow when no one is looking. i have 7 striatas also. but the clowns and striatas get along great. maybe adding some clowns and striatas so he has some friends.

what do you feed him? maybe you should increase his protein weekly. like 2 protein feedings a week.

get some cucumber. slice a nice 1/4" thick slice and attach it to a stainless steel spoon. and throw it in the bottom. also make sure you cut the skin off. i guarantee he will be full to his hearts desire eating that up. then maybe he won't be so hungry. i notice when i give my fish a day break on feeding is usually when they end up eating the other fish. so what your feeding him now. is way too little of food in my opinion.

also the pet store should have some frozen sterilized blood worms or brine shrimp. the loaches love that as well as the white glass worms. i feed my loaches algae wafers and some carnivore wafers on a daily basis.

i might give them a cucumber slice every few days or so. and i try to give them protein 2 times a week. my schedule usually is wednesday and saturday is protein day. after sat. ill give them a 1 day break on food once aweek.

also martins fish jello recipe is a favorite. they love that!

but maybe if he has some friends to play with he won't be thinking about how hungry he is lol..

[Mr_Woodchuck]

ty loach orgy, I was thinking him and the other fish were under fed anyway, they only only flakes daily, used to toss in algae bits every few days as well but I ran out of those... the cucumber seems like a good idea though and I really must get a hold of meat foods when I can next.

He did have a few loach friends in the tank at one stage, but he killed those and took a nibble before my suckers cleaned them up.

[LoachOrgy]

get more algae wafers. i feed those daily.

[Mr_Woodchuck]

Had a breakthrough with my murderous loach, he seems to have calmed down a bit and I have given him some cucumber a couple times when I had some, I found that as long as I had extras like the cucumber, algae wafers and meat foods he was fine, if he goes more then a week where he's only eating flakes he'll pic a fish at random to brutalise and eat... seems I gotta keep him well fed in order to maintain his good behaviour