introducing a new loach

[michael]

Howdy,

Recently our LFS acquired a very large loach (9+ inches) from an old tank which was taken down with the owner no longer able to care for his fish. We of course fell in love and want to add her to our current clown tank of 14.

We currently have 14 clowns in a 90 gal ( while their new "loach-o-trope" 180g gets cycled). The 14 are a happy, healthy group ranging in size from 2 to 6 inches, though without a single dominant loach yet (the largest by an inch has never greyed out and actually seems docile. One of our smaller 4inch loaches seems to occasionally grey out, and chase, but not often).

We're a little worried about the new large loach though. The LFS had her isolated for about 10 days (their tanks do not share water circulation and they do good work) and we kept her in a 40g breeder for about a week. She's not yet taking food and is extremely shy. In an effort to get her better situated we put her in the 90g with the other clowns, hoping that she'd begin eating. This has not produced any positive results, though now it is possible she forages at night. She hides all day even though the other loaches all are active. She does tolerate the other loaches at night and they frequently form the nightly "loach jam" around her. But in the morning they all come out and she'll stay in the same place (there are lots of pieces of bogwood and rocks to hide under/around).

As related by the owner to the LFS, she came from a tiny tank with no other loaches. She is somewhere between 12-15 years old and for at least a decade of it has never lived with other clowns (only a couple of other large fish).

Has anyone else had any experience bringing home an older loach from less than ideal conditions? Any tricks for getting her to eat would be appreciated. Bloodworms, blanched veggies, carnivore pellets, and more have all been declined. How long before we have to really get concerned about her not eating?

thanks,

Michael


(the 90g tank is stable and healthy otherwise. All the regular occupants are fine and have had no issues in the past several months)

[newshound]

even a mature loach from a normal tank with buddies will be shy for the first bit.
give it time.
good score btw!!!!

i find mature loaches don't wander out much...without food that is

[irab]

Congrats would love to see a pic

[michael]

It's been a couple of weeks now and things seem to be progressing, though slower than I'd prefer.

Our new "queen" has two spots in the tank, one for daytime and one for nights (without fail over the past 9 days). The novelty has worn off slowly for the other loachs. Initially every night there would be a singular loach jam with all 14 smaller clowns clustered around the giant. At this point she still has 4-8 of them nightly. During the day she rests in virtually the same spot on top of some bogwood and under some anubias. All you can see is the tip of her head and an eye as she watches.

She has begun cautiously (and I mean very cautiously) visibly eating with subdued lighting. This has been a challenge. If the lights go out she seems to forage for a couple minutes at a time and then returns to her nighttime spot. With subdued lighting she will remain in her daytime spot, but occasionally move her head to grab a bite of food. Chopped shrimp seems to be about the only thing she'll do this for so far.

She continues to snub bloodworms, blanched veggies, and various other foods, though she probably forages more at night that we're not aware of.

Our loaches are still in the 90gal at the moment as the filter finishes cycling for the giant tank. Another couple weeks, maybe three, and their new home should be ready.

cheers,

Michael