Swimming behavior

[finfin]

I appologise if this has already been covered, but Im stressed out over my Loaches behaviour...
They (2) swim in continuous cycles around each other, never resting.
Figure of eights, back and forth...up and down.
They used too be very lazy in there old home, Smaller tank...had great appertites, and lounged around, on there sides, and on there backs...now in there new Tank...they NEVER stop swimming...
Are they sick, is something bothering them...are they happy they are in there new tank? I havent seen them eat in days...Its like they've lost there mind?
Any comforting ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[shari2]

You have 2? What size tank were they in and what size are they in now?
What else is in the tank?
You don't SEE them eat, but are you still putting food in? Could they be eating at night, or do you see the food, uneaten, fungusing?

Tell us a bit more about the tank, how long in the first tank, when moved to 2nd, how big are they, what do you feed...whatever else you think might matter. Water parameters and maintenance schedule might be good too.

[mikev]

It might also help if you mention what kind of Loaches are they...the behaviors differ.

[finfin]

Well, All the water parameters, are Ideal..There is no trace of Nitrite..Nitrate is approx 20 ppm.
Ammonia zero. Ph 7.0..
desolved Oxygen saturation 8ppm @ 80deg Far

46 Gallon Tank Bow front..
Soft medium/small substrate
Large driftwood.
(Plenty of hiding spaces)
Plants.


other fish.
2 Gold Veil Angels
3 Black Veil Angels
2 Marble Angels.
5 Rasporas.
4 Zebra Danios
2 Bala Sharks.
1 Pleco,
and 3 Clown loaches, just like the Forum picture.

2 of the loaches (1 is 4" and other is 2.5") are inseperable.
They swim in synchronized patterns , continuously.
the other Clown, is new, and not quite an inch, and keeps himself to himself, and if busy rummaging for food.


I originally had the 2 Clowns in 25 gallon tank, that they appeared too be alot more relax in.
they would rummage for food, and devour any food that i dropped in the tank.
There diet has typically been:-
TetraMin tropical Chrisps.
Algae thins.
live and frozen brine shrimp on occasion.
They have flourished..
when not eating, they had been very relaxed, and would kay on there sides, or even upside down (was the prefered sleeping posistion of the largest)
There old tank buddies consisted of:
5 neon Tetra
2 Ballon Bellied Mollies
2 Rasporas
and a Pleco

since I introduced to there new tank..after initially hiding for a day, they immerged to start this swimming cycle. Non stop...swimming in circles, around and around the front of the tank..then as synchronized, they then swim back and fourth for a few minutes, then up and down, then stop on the bottm for a breif moment , just too start the cycle over again..you would think they were glued together they are so synchronized.
The rest of the fish, including the other loach, are business as usual, showing no unusual signes...and are quick on the draw for food.
Please ...Im not a dummy..I dont just keep pouring food in , in the hopes they will take the hint..
I did try blood worms yesterday, in the hopes that they would not be able to resist...but were too busy flying around (and still are as I type) too notice, now the other fish have cashed in on the worms.
I dont have a problem with them if they are wellI am just concerned as they seem like COMPLETELY different fish too there other tank..
All the parametres of there old tank are all Perfect..
If this is just normal swimming behavior, i am happy...It just appears they have lost there mind.

[shari2]

That's funny mike. I just assumed clowns based on finfin's description.

First of all, as an angelfish keeper, I would say 7 angels (if they are adult) are too many for a 40g. Clowns will also outgrow it before too long. If you have a standard 'rubber lipped pleco' it will also get huge and will create a LOT of waste rasping the wood. You may already have noticed.

As for their behavior, clowns will often change their behavior when transferred to a new tank. If all else is well (other than the not eating) I'd give them time and they may settle down.

And I meant no disparagement when I questioned about the food. It was a simple question since I knew nothing much about the tank, or how long you've been keeping fish, etc. My apologies if it came across as criticism. It was not meant as such.

[TammyLiz]

Shari, I don't know if we are talking about the same species of pleco or not, but the rubber lipped pleco that I know of stays at 4 inches in length, and is not a wood eater.

[shari2]

Tammy you're likely right. I'm thinking 'common pleco' which will get quite large. ...

[grizzlyone]

Thats why I buy the rubber lip plecos.

I'm on a nothing bigger than 10 inches kick (except for the dojos )


Kevin

[sophie]

Thats why I buy the rubber lip plecos.

I'm on a nothing bigger than 10 inches kick (except for the dojos )

if you get a dojo bigger than 10 inches, I want pictures...

[grizzlyone]

Well, the way this 4in dojo is going, he's gonna have a ten inch belly..lol.

He's the first one to the top of the tank the second that flakes hit the water.

I've seen him completely submerged under the substrate and its like feeding frenzy when the first flake hits the water. He's shed his skin so many times., I could sell the skin as parachutes

Kevin

[Zaffimitsu]

Well, the way this 4in dojo is going, he's gonna have a ten inch belly..lol.

He's the first one to the top of the tank the second that flakes hit the water.

I've seen him completely submerged under the substrate and its like feeding frenzy when the first flake hits the water. He's shed his skin so many times., I could sell the skin as parachutes

Kevin

Mine doesn't shed. o-o

[TammyLiz]

Tammy you're likely right. I'm thinking 'common pleco' which will get quite large. ...

Oh, OK. Well, I don't think finfin actually mentioned which type of pleco he/she has, so your advice might have been applicable, anyways!

But, are commons really wood eaters, either? I know some are, such as clowns and royals but thought commons weren't.

[Graeme Robson]

Mainly it's the Panque pleco's which are wood eaters. Others eat or rasp at whats on the wood.

[mikev]

That's funny mike. I just assumed clowns based on finfin's description.

Actually, I thought Kubotai's, they are the ones who seem to do this most. Could have been dojos, or kuhlis, or anything else.

Right now I have confuzonas that are swimming in circles, chasing each other tails. Have no idea what this is supposed to mean.