Keeping Clowns together

[kingmed]

This is my first visit and I am very curious on keeping different sizes of loaches together. I have at present time a clown I've had for around 3 weeks which is about 1" long and doing great. He is in a 55 at the presesnt time with poolsand as the substrate, I am going to get 2 more this weekend either another one the same size and 1 or 2 that are closer to 2" in length. I know he will eventually outgrow this tank, however a friend of mine will be setting up his 150 long this year and I will keep these 3 until he's all set up. Will the larger ones hurt the smaller one or damage it in anyway, also on feeding will the small one be able to find enough food. He's doing great at the moment, feeding flake and then frozen brine shrimp every 2-3 days as a treat for my fish. I only have zebra danios, black skirt tetras and 1 female betta with him at pressent time, oh ya I do have 4 rosie rred minnows that I got from walmart also the ones that cost 28 cents each.

[chefkeith]

Be sure to quarantine any new fish you buy for atleast 3 weeks. Cross contamination of parasites is the biggest mistake every fishkeeper makes.

It's usually fine to have various sizes of loaches of the same species.

[starsplitter7]

I have had 1inchers with 4inchers, and it seems the bigger fish almost treat them like smaller brothers that they show the ropes to. Usually when I buy small ones I buy 3 or more to make sure they have small buddies, but all the clowns will hang out together, eat, sleep, . . . Make sure you quarantine, and the small ones seem to be susceptible to illness. I often lose my small ones 3 or 4 months after purchase (and they do great -- eating, playing, and then all of a sudden they get skinny and die in a short period time-- I suspect parasites, and have treated for parasites, but it doesn't work); if you can find bigger ones 3+ inches, you may be better off. Look for fish who are eating well at the store and don't look skinny. Clowns are happier, the more the merrier.

I think most people have had better luck and it doesn't matter the size of the clown. It is terrible to lose them.