Loaches Online Forum

I have 13 baby clowns that are about an inch and a half in size right now, but they have noticeably grown in the month or so since I originally got them. Right now they are comfortable in a 55 gal., but I'm planning on upgrading to a 125 gal. How fast do they generally grow in one year? I'm trying to figure out whether to get the new aquarium in the next month or two or save up and get one next year.

well ive heard they have a growth spurt in the first year and then growth slows. It might be better off upgrading asap. And welcome!

Thanks for the advice.

All depends on a lot of variables. Clowns do grow considerably when they have a varied diet, pristine water, and a huge tank.

Then I guess I should probably upgrade soon. My loaches eat a variety of things, blood worms, snails, tubifex worms, shrimp pellets, sinking wafers, cucumber. lol I think their diet has more variety than mine half of the time. I clean their tank at least once a week. Nothing but the best for my loachies

I'd say they grow very slowly compared to most other fish I've kept. But what do I know, I've only been keeping them for 18 years?

Varied diet, pristine water, medium tank of 90 gallon, 8 inches of steady growth in 18 years and still growing.

Never had disease since they were cured of Whitespot on purchase. Fabulous fish in every way. I'm very proud of them.




I started mine in the tank I ultimately wanted them in but realise not everyone does that or is advised correctly. I was advised to keep them in a 3ft tank but wanted them in something bigger.

Few of us can claim to have them in perfect conditions so it is usually a compromise based on the owner's knowledge/preference rather than the fish's preference!

A river in Borneo might meet with their approval. If you haven't got one don't pretend your alternative is perfect !

Wow 18 years! That's awesome. So you think they will be ok in the 55 gallon for awhile? I probably won't have enough money to upgrade until next year.

a year isnt too bad. just keep the water changes going once or twice weekly and you should be ok. i mean, ive heard of someone ho had his clowns in a 3ft 45 gallon tank from baby to 25cm! he did super regular water changes so i guess that stops them from stunting.

Redshark those are stunning fish. Thanks for sharing.

Loachmom, I think a 55 is okay as long as you keep up with the water changes. Who do they live with? What kind of dithers do you have? Did you look at Marcos' tank? if not, take a look at one of the ultimate loach tanks. May give you ideas.

Thanks for the input guys This site is awesome! I have a young "regular" pleco, 5 young yoyo's, 8 scissor tails and 3 medium size angels. Yes I have seen his videos they're fantastic, actually they all are! I can't wait to upgrade to a bigger tank! I ran out of space to add cool stuff without it looking cluttered lol. It's very addicting.

haha, marcos clown heaven is the best. He inspired me to get yoyo loaches with those stunning large specimins he had.

Hey RedShark those are some really nice clown loaches you have there! Mind me asking what you diet they are on?

Post by redshark1
But what do I know, I've only been keeping them for 18 years?

How modest of you. Can you tell me how fast people grow? Does it depend in any way on where they live and how they live?

for people i think its food and exercise. for loaches, frequent water changes and hikari food.

also could be the genetics of each loach. some loaches living in the same conditions will still end up growing to different sizes.