Loaches Online Forum

So I got my Clown Loaches three weeks ago. I originally had them in quarantine in my 10 Gal. for a few weeks before moving them into my 55 Gal. Only one survived the quarantine period and I moved him into my 55. The thing is, I don't really know if he is eating. It almost seems as if he isn't eating at all because of the Rosy Barbs he shares the tank with. He does swim around a lot more in the 55. Right now the parameters are 5.8 - 6.2 for the PH, the ammonia levels are less than 0.02 ppm and the temperture of the water sits at 80 (F). Maybe he just eats at night? or when I leave the room? I put in some shrimp pellets as well as some krill pellets. Occasionally I will put in some lettuce for the Barbs. Any thoughts?

Hi and welcome.

My thoughts and questions based on what I understand are:

Ammonia is present? How are you measuring it? I guess that is free ammonia which is toxic. Even so it is a low value. Here pet shops have to keep their ammonia at 0.02 or under as a condition of their licence.

Why did the others not survive the quarantine? Isn't quarantine meant to benefit the fish? What killed them? What was the ammonia level then? Why did you move the remaining Clown Loach into the 55 if the others were dying?

Have you checked for whitespot (very common with new Clown Loaches).

If the Clown Loach is eating he will surely eat frozen bloodworm (when thawed and rinsed). Live bloodworm is the only superior food in this situation. It can be put in his cave and you can check if it is eaten.

I hope things are going better.

80~F for Rosy Barbs? I don't think so. You may need to look into this.