is my tank big enough

mal71 · Post by **mal71** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:48 am

hi, i was just wondering if i could keep clown loaches in a 260 l tank, and if yes how many, can i keep, im having some other fish in there too.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:53 am

I'm presuming your tank is about 4ft long? If so, it would be the minimum size I would recommend for young Clown Loaches. Bear in mind that they will need a tank 6ft+ as they grow. You wouldn't want to keep any less than 5, as they are incredibly social creatures.

Emma

mal71 · Post by **mal71** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:57 am

iwas told by my local shop that they would probaly only grow to 6-8 inch, and be fine to keep them in this set up without having to buy anougher tank, iwas getting three of them.

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:04 am

mal71 wrote:iwas told by my local shop that they would probaly only grow to 6-8 inch...

This may be true if you keep them in too small a tank...not good for the fish. Three is a good number to start with, but they will be happier if you have five or more. I can see a much nicer scoal here, once I went from four to six.

In general, whatever lfs' tells you needs to be carefully rechecked...

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:05 am

They will definitely need a bigger tank a few years down the line. The shop is talking rubbish, Clowns can get to 12" or so, and become very stocky powerful fish. Here is a picture of a couple of mine alongside a standard 30cm (12") ruler:

I have around 45 Clown Loaches in my aquarium, and personally would consider having just 3 to be a little cruel. If you do want to put in the commitment (they can live for decades) and forsee yourself getting a larger tank for them, you really should get at least 5 of them so that they can socially interact.

Emma

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:00 am

Emma

i have to ask from curiosity, how big is your tank? it must be huge! your loaches look wonderfull, its so nice to see pictures of big loaches

helen

Graeme Robson · Post by **Graeme Robson** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:53 am

helen nightingale wrote:Emma

i have to ask from curiosity, how big is your tank? it must be huge! your loaches look wonderfull, its so nice to see pictures of big loaches

helen

It is 'huge'

I personally have seen the 8ft tank and the 12 inch plus Clowns. It's pretty eye opening stuff.

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:12 pm

Graeme Robson wrote:
It is 'huge'

I personally have seen the 8ft tank and the 12 inch plus Clowns. It's pretty eye opening stuff.

I bet that is a wonderful sight, I currently have 8 clowns (biggest 5" smallest 2") in an 75 gallon 4' tank. Within the next 18 months they will all be moving into a new tank that I am getting which will be 7'x2.5'x2'.

Hopefully I will then add a couple more clowns.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:24 pm

Thank you!

The tank holds 1000 litres and takes over most of our lounge!

Mad Duff - excellent news about the new tank. When it's all up and running you'll have to post some pics on here.

Emma

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:35 pm

I bet you dont need a telly with a tank like that

. it must look fantastic! i am very jealous, and am still trying to persuade my man that we really can fit a tank that size in. you must think yourselves lucky

helen

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:54 am

Emma Turner wrote:Thank you! The tank holds 1000 litres and takes over most of our lounge!

Mad Duff - excellent news about the new tank. When it's all up and running you'll have to post some pics on here.

Emma

Hi Emma

I will definatley post some pics when it is set up, I cant wait.

It will be replacing a 4' and a 3' that are stood at one end of the dining room so it will hopefully look good. It was touch and go wether I was going to get it but the 4' will be moved into the living room along with my other 4' and I have given the 3' to my wife because she wanted to have a tank of her own.

Mark

DarrenMnaples · Post by **DarrenMnaples** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:56 pm

emma i myself and im sure everyone else would love to see some pics of your huge loach tank......pleeeeaseee!!!!

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:23 pm

yes that would be great! please do!

Curtis · Post by **Curtis** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:46 pm

Where do you get a 7'x2.5'x2' tank? And how many gallons is that? I am in the market for two 7 foot tanks and I kind of like that size.

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:14 pm

Curtis wrote:Where do you get a 7'x2.5'x2' tank? And how many gallons is that? I am in the market for two 7 foot tanks and I kind of like that size.

Hi Curtis

I have had a look around on the internet and found a couple of places that build them and can customise them for you, I have had a price of £220 for my tank, volume wise it will be 990 litres/218 gal.

If I can find them I will dig out the links for you.

Mark

PS: Can we see a photo of your tank Emma, pleeeaase.

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