Different Sized Loaches

[bobjoe]

Hey everyone,

I have just one loach its friend passed a while ago and I would like to get him another friend or two (he looks a bit lonely with no one to mess about with anymore) but they are about half its size in the pet shop. I've been told he will harass one smaller one is it possible to get two smaller ones? Would there be any problems??

Thanks

[bobjoe]

Whoops! didn't tell you it was a clown loach.

[Graeme Robson]

You musty understands why i ask this.

Size of tank
Age of setup
Type/s of filtration
Types of fish
Number of fish
pH of water
Water-changing routine (frequency and amount each time)
Any/Type of water additives used
Symptoms of fish
Decor (wood, rocks)
Type of substrate used
Any changes done to the setup recently
Any other miscellaneous information

[notoo7]

My Clown Loach tank has multiple sized loaches from 8" to 1". The little ones get crowded out once in a while when feeding on live worms, but most of the time the larger ones wait til the food settles to the bottom and smaller ones feed in mid to upper levels. Other than that they get along just fine. Its really cool to watch the new smaller ones trying to follow the larger ones... My 2-3" Clowns have thier own caves, and though the little 1" ones do to, they usually hide in the cave with with the 6"-8" ones. Sarrogate parents?

[bobjoe]

Hi and thanks for your advice.

I put in the smaller clown loaches in with more places to hide and while the bigger one chased them about for a bit the novelty soon wore off and it was more interested in the new tank decor i put in. now the smaller ones like you said, follow the bigger one around until he's ready to nap then he chases them off. they all seem happy and healthy so thank you