My Single, Solitary Clown...

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:03 pm

I first started with clowns about a month ago, in which I bought two 1.5-inchers for my 55-gallon tank. Over the course of a week's time, one of them died form what seemed to be stress.

I began to worry about my other loach, wondering how well it would do without a partner.

As it turns out, he thrived! He quickly became one of the more dominant fish in the tank, and has grown almost two centimeters since then.

Is this normal for clowns? Would it be better yet if I got him a partner?

Ippo456 · Post by **Ippo456** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:55 am

What else do you have in the tank.
I think that the clown would feel more comfortable if he had a friend.
Afterall, they're a schooling fish.

mary.burns3 · Post by **mary.burns3** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:30 am

Clowns do like bigger groups but I had one that wouldn't settle in a group, always faded and fighting with bigger ones. I removed him and his colour returned on his own and appeared to thrive for a while. I have since returned him to the group, after giving them their chance to work out who is alpha. He is still faded compared to the rest, still trying to be alpha, but doesn't fight anymore as he is older now (I have had him/her 3 years) Interestingly, they do remember each other. He was one of my original 3 and probably felt other loaches invading his tank more than the others.

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:19 am

When I originally had my two loaches, neither of them was very active in my tank. They would just cruise around the tank a few times a day, but would otherwise just sit around.

But when one of them died, I literally haven't seen the remaining one sit still.

He's always on the hunt, picking at my zuccini slice, working over the algae and the like.

My fish setup contains two pictus, one raphael, two dojos, three cories, about 15 assorted tetras, danios, and rasboras, a solitary rainbow, a bolivian ram, and a pleco. And then the clown.

All of this is in a semi-foilaged 55 gallon tank with a running temerature of about 75F.

shari2 · Post by **shari2** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:11 pm

Clowns prefer warmer temps than 75. Watch out for lower temps. They tend to come down with ich...

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:16 pm

I'm slowly turning up the heat right now, so I'm aiming for about 78F, but not warm enough so that my other fish suffer.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:45 pm

You have a bit of a mis-match of species in your current tank. If your Tetras, Rasboras, and Danios are any of the smaller species, the Pictus cats will eventually feed on them. The Dojos require much cooler conditions than the other fish (these should be rehoused in a more suitable tank as soon as possible) and your Rainbow and Clown need to be kept with more of their own kind.

I take it you are aware of the eventual requirements of clown loaches? The 55 gallon will not be large enough in the long run. If you cannot see yourself being able to provide them with a tank at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft when they are adult, then you really should think about exchanging them for another species.

Emma

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:15 pm

I'm aware of the fish and their potential sizes. I will eventually be getting a bigger tank.

The tetras I have are all large, along with the danios (zebras) and brilliant rasboras.

My dojos have been in my tank for months, and they are doing as fine as they should be.

My clown is currently mateless, yes, but I'm looking for a partner for it, and will purchase one ASAP when I find one. As for the rainbow, I've had him for months, too and he seems fine. He's the sole survivor of a threesome that came down with ich immediatley after I got them.

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:18 pm

Also, according to nearly every source I've looked up on both the internet and in books, the dojos can suitably live in temps up to 77F. Not totally sure.... You obviously know more than I do.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:30 pm

Your Weather (Dojo) loaches will likely be very uncomfortable at such a temperature. They are a temperate fish, and although capable of tolerating slightly adverse conditions for a relatively short period of time, they should not be forced to live in unnaturally high temperatures for prolonged periods. Their metabolism will speed up, they in turn will produce more waste, and their lifespan will be shortened. The best solution would be to get another tank for the Weather Loaches (and possibly the Danios, depending on species - most also prefer cooler temps). Here is our Weather Loach profile: http://www.loaches.com/species-index/we ... licaudatus

Also, if you are serious about keeping clown loaches long-term, you need a group of at least 5 so that you are able to meet their complex social needs. Keeping just one or two is simpy cruel.

And remember that not everything you read on the internet is gospel, and many books give very general advice on loach care. Loaches Online is not just a general fishkeeping site, we specialise in loaches and bring the most accurate information on the care of this special group of fish to people all over the world.

Emma

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:17 pm

Thanks!

But.... You've just made me very depressed and worried about my loaches.

No idea what to do, because I only have one aquarium at the time, but I do plan on getting another soon.

I've gotten most of my other information from Aqualandpetsplus.com, a website I personally like a lot because of how much they tend to know about various fish.

I've just recently discovered this website.

Also, the people at my local fish store (not a franchise place, put a local place run by people that know honestly their stuff) have told me a lot that I know about the fish I buy. I usually go to them when I have a fish I'm wondering about.

One person there I actually asked about my dojos and temperatures, and has kept them at the temp I have them at successfully for years. My temp hovers around 75F all the time, and I've never had a fish die from temperature disorders.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:01 pm

If you are planning on getting another tank soon, then you should seriously think about making it a temperate tank for your Weather Loaches - they will really thank you for it.

The shop may seem quite knowledgeable to you, but believe me, if they are recommending Weather Loaches for tropical aquariums, they are either not being honest enough to turn down a sale or they do not know what they are talking about!

If you cannot provide your Weather Loaches with a more comfortable environment, then you should really think about rehoming them with someone who can. However, it sounds as if you have become quite attached to them, so the best outcome surely must be to give them a tank of their own, and later on even add some more of their own kind for company.

Emma

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:12 pm

If I got a ten-gallon tank with a small filter and a few plants and such, I'd be moving my loaches to that one (probably along with a few others). They seem fine now, but I want them to be healthy and long-living, so I'll do something about them. Then I can safely turn up the temp in my main tank to better-suit the clowns and such.

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:02 am

A 10 gallon tank is far too small. Weather Loaches grow quite large and have bouts of very active behaviour. As such they require an aquarium at least 4ft long.

Alos, bear in mind that the smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep conditions stable.

Emma

Fear_The_Loach · Post by **Fear_The_Loach** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:45 pm

Actually, I got the sizes mixed up. The tank I'd get would be a 20-gallon, not 10.

Loaches Online Forum

My Single, Solitary Clown...

My Single, Solitary Clown...

Who is online

Go to page

About us