125 gallon not big enough for clowns?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:25 pm
I've had clown loaches for years in a 55 gallon (it actually all started with one that came with a 30 gallon and over time one was added and then another two for a total of four). Knew that was far too small for them and finally managed to upgrade and got a 125 gallon, but based on my research even that won't be big enough for the long term. On top of that the system came with a number of big, highly aggressive cichlids and an adult bristlenose pleco (but given they weren't part of the plan I'm already in the process of trying to rehome them except for the pleco, none of the 55 gal fish have moved into it yet as a result).
The thing is, the loaches staying or not has massive ramifications as to the direction of where this tank is going. If I keep them not a whole lot changes, but if I rehome them I'm all but doing a complete overhaul and transforming the 125 into a full planted community with new substrate and lighting and such as it's an opportunity I've yet to have. Did try live years ago and you can imagine how it went given how disruptive clowns are. There are other fish too but they're remnants that I haven't replenished due to how overcrowded things were when they were at full strength (a giant danio, Australian rainbowfish, rainbow shark, a younger bristlenose pleco and two upside-down cats). Really, what I might do if the clowns go is get down to just the plecos and start completely fresh. Keep the plecos in the 55 for a couple weeks so new plants have a chance to take root, then slowly start to create a South American-themed biotype with tetras, hatchets, cories, apple/mystery snails, ect.
And before it's suggested, I cannot keep the 55 running for anything once the 125 is complete. Still live with my folks and my mother is adamant on only one tank operating in the house so it's "do or die" so to speak.
The thing is, the loaches staying or not has massive ramifications as to the direction of where this tank is going. If I keep them not a whole lot changes, but if I rehome them I'm all but doing a complete overhaul and transforming the 125 into a full planted community with new substrate and lighting and such as it's an opportunity I've yet to have. Did try live years ago and you can imagine how it went given how disruptive clowns are. There are other fish too but they're remnants that I haven't replenished due to how overcrowded things were when they were at full strength (a giant danio, Australian rainbowfish, rainbow shark, a younger bristlenose pleco and two upside-down cats). Really, what I might do if the clowns go is get down to just the plecos and start completely fresh. Keep the plecos in the 55 for a couple weeks so new plants have a chance to take root, then slowly start to create a South American-themed biotype with tetras, hatchets, cories, apple/mystery snails, ect.
And before it's suggested, I cannot keep the 55 running for anything once the 125 is complete. Still live with my folks and my mother is adamant on only one tank operating in the house so it's "do or die" so to speak.