keeping goldfish with clown loaches

[ken_loaches]

is this possible given a constant temperature of around 29C? behavior problems?

[YellowFinned]

Clowns are highly active tropical fish. Goldfish are slow, usually over bred, temperate fish.

Don’t think you should keep them together.

But, having said that, getting the conditions right I have had success mixing fish that others do not recommend.

[Martin Thoene]

Goldfish are as yellowfinned stated, temperate fish. However, most fancy varieties are bred in countries where the temperature is somewhat tropical at times or all the time. Keeping the deep-bodied goldfish varieties at warmer temps may have some benefits to them.

The problem is that at 29C the Clowns will be happy, but that's way too high for Goldfish. As temperature rises, their metabolism speeds up and these already large producers of waste will be even hungrier and produce more waste. This will require extremely efficient filtration.

Clowns need very good, clean water and therefore efficient, high turnover filters. this equates to a lot of current in the tank which is another Clown "must-have". This will not work with fancy goldfish because they need calm conditions. Goldfish are carp and naturally live in lakes with little water movement beyond thermal currents.

Martin.

[LoachOrgy]

I had them together for 1 yr. But the goldfish mutilate the plants and make the environment very dirty for the loaches. the fish got along well but goldfish are cold water fish and loaches are tropical. its really amazing how much they liked eachother though. but i wouldn't suggest it. goldfish are a mess!

martin is right, they get hungrier and more aggressive with higher temps. they create so much debris in the water its too much maintenance! not only that comets i believe secrete ammonia through the skin. they often do this at feeding times and make the tank cloudy like a urine color!

[crazy loaches]

I think the closest loach mach your going to find will be Dojo's, I am setting up a tank that will so far be just for goldies (mostly shubunkins) and dojos (both the spotted ones and gold ones). Will be unheated but around the temp of the room, 68-72F, and a moderate turnover - nothing huge but also not lacking. Design isnt set in stone though, some things could still change.

[ken_loaches]

I think the closest loach mach your going to find will be Dojo's, I am setting up a tank that will so far be just for goldies (mostly shubunkins) and dojos (both the spotted ones and gold ones). Will be unheated but around the temp of the room, 68-72F, and a moderate turnover - nothing huge but also not lacking. Design isnt set in stone though, some things could still change.

I do hope you document your set-up here. If all goes well, i'll probably just follow your lead.

thanks for the advice guys.

[crazy loaches]

Dont worry I'll definately cover the process from start to finish, especially since alot of it will be diy. But dont hold your breath, might be till end of spring/beginning of summer. I will first be setting up a 240G tank that will take alot more time and resources, and that probably wont start for a couple months. My garage is a disaster so most my woodworking will probably be in the driveway, so not much is hapening till it warms up! I have to wait on the 240G since the location the 150 is going is were my 75 is that all the fish & plants will be going in the 240, then I'll be re-doing the floor (switching from carpet to laminate) before putting a tank back in the room. Wish I could do it quicker but its going to take time.

[Martin Thoene]

I think the closest loach mach your going to find will be Dojo's, I am setting up a tank that will so far be just for goldies (mostly shubunkins) and dojos (both the spotted ones and gold ones). Will be unheated but around the temp of the room, 68-72F, and a moderate turnover - nothing huge but also not lacking. Design isnt set in stone though, some things could still change.

I do hope you document your set-up here. If all goes well, i'll probably just follow your lead.

thanks for the advice guys.

crazy_loaches, ken_loaches wrote that he's looking at a setup running at 29C. That is totally unsuitable for Dojos. Way too warm.

Martin.

[crazy loaches]

Martin_Thoene... Yes of course, I was refering to dojos because they can be kept at cooler goldfish temps. 29C is also way to warm for goldfish too. My tank, like I said, will not be heated. Sorry if I didnt make that clear or imply either could be in a warm tank.