Should I part with my old clowns?

[celticchrys]

Hello everyone. I have two clown loaches that I've had now for about 8 years. They are currently housed in a 55 gallon aquarium. Clown Loach knowledge seems to have progressed a lot in the past 8 years. When I got these guys, it was not commonly known how large they do get.

As they have grown larger, they tend to hide more. Still very alert, fast, and apparently healthy when they come out, they just love their log. I was pondering getting a third clown, in an attempt to make them more confident, but as I see the huge size of some of the clowns pictured on this site, and read recommendations that 75 gallons is the minimum size for them, I feel rather dejected. I simply cannot go to a larger aquarium, maybe not for years, if ever. 55 gallons will have to be it for a long time.

I've put off the thought for a while, but should I part with my clowns? If so, I would feel bad taking them to the LFS, as I can imagine them having quite short lives in the hands of some newbie. I don't have anyone handy with a larger tank to pass them onto either.

I would appreciate any advice. Please be kind, as I have done my best by these fish.

[starsplitter7]

Hello,

I am a newbie, but here are some questions that will help the more experienced people. Where do you live? Maybe there's someone on the forum who lives nearby who could help you out. How big are your clowns and do you have dither fish for them?

Do you have any local Aquarium Societies? You may find a local Loach person.

It's good that you love your fish so much they have made it 8 years, and that you are willing to find a solution.

Good luck! Tanja.

[celticchrys]

I do not have a local aquarium society available to me. I am in northern West Virginia. Anyone else?

[shari2]

celticchrys, are your fish unhappy or uncomfortable? In a situation like yours, I would say that you should keep them, even if it is only in a 55g. You have obviously done well by them for 8 years, which is an accomplishment. The recommendations here are our best advice. Unfortunately, if that is unworkable for you I would agree that they are far better off in your 55 (which has been their home for a good long time!) than at any lfs, or even a fellow loach keeper.

What size are they?

[Tinman]

You may put up a sign at the lfs to screen any potential loach lovers as adoptive parents . Petsmart and the like have a board by the door for this also. Maybe an ad in the paper for qualified fish keepers ???

[mickthefish]

i reckon bud if your attached to your fish, keep um.
just make sure your water stays at the very best.

mick

[celticchrys]

Their sizes are, 4 inches long, and 5 inches long respectively. Typical of clowns, they grew gangbusters at first and have over the years since, grown slowly.

[shari2]

It's laudable that you are concerned for them, but to give them up just because we recommend a 75g -- no, you don't have to, imo. They do grow more slowly once they've reached that size, and they may grow slower still due to the size of the tank.

Ultimately, it is entirely up to you.

[LoachOrgy]

damn if i were close, id get em now!

[LoachOrgy]

are you overstocked in your tank? if not and its only those two, they should be fine. maybe remove some larger decor to give them more room.

[celticchrys]

LoachOrgy: I try to stay lightly stocked. There are one bristlenose pleco, about a dozen little cherry barbs, and three small rasboras. The tank is also planted, and I have a decent canister filter.

Thank you for all of the responses! I've always really liked these fish, but I want to treat them well. Perhaps I can do more aquascaping to add more caves, etc to the tank. I'm going through the site, looking at the images everyone has posted for inspiration.

Here are links to a couple of video clips where you can see my clowns:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSaEKhAO6ms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy_VDoPjeoQ

[celticchrys]

LoachOrgy,
They do like their caves, which is the only decor besides plants at the moment. Do you think some sort of arrangement of driftwood or stone along the back to give hiding places, that they can swim under, with the front half open would be a good arrangement?

[tariesindanrie]

Gotta tell you, Celticchrys- I'd take those beauties off your hands in a millisecond- and I'm close enough in proximity to lobby for that! But, I have to agree with the others...I'd do my best to get a bigger tank set up, and in the meantime, maybe just give them a few more hidey-holes. Driftwood and stone works well, and along the back would be a space-saver, too.

They are fat, sassy looking clowns. You've done great and you obviously love them. You're the best option-keep up the good work!

Kate

[LoachOrgy]

LoachOrgy,
They do like their caves, which is the only decor besides plants at the moment. Do you think some sort of arrangement of driftwood or stone along the back to give hiding places, that they can swim under, with the front half open would be a good arrangement?

I had a rather large piece of tank ornament that had to be removed due to the loaches getting larger. It was replaced with some 4" diameter pvc piping. They seem to love the pvc piping just as much as the giant cave they had. I bet you could make some really good little niches around your tank if its heavily planted. The only thing my clowns won't eat is anubias fern. They try to eat it, but only manage to kill 2 plants every 6 months or so. So it works out. I have no experience with driftwood. You should ask someone who you see a thread that has a tank with driftwood. There are quite a few on this first page if you just click a few links. I think 3 members are actually building some rather large tanks now. And you will get to see some really nice loach pictures in the process. Good luck!