Loaches Online Forum

Emma, thanks for the quick reply.
I need some kind of guidance about buying a new tank, because I'd really like to house my loaches in an appropriate sized tank.
I figured it's cheaper in the long run to buy a big-enough tank for them to grow in.
Thanks in advance.

I'd like to say that if your considering clowns and a big tank, it is much easier and hassle free in the long run to start with the big tank and never move them. Many start with a 55 and as they grow put them in a 90, then a 180, etc. (for example). Upgrading tanks can be a pain (mine started in a 40G, then 75, and will be moving again soon). And the loaches even when small will surely appreciate lots of room and a lot less chance of them stunting in a big tank. Just a suggestion.

I totally agree with you, crazyloaches. Also much less stressful on the fish if they don't have to be moved about. Loaches like stability.

Ippo, go as large as money and space permits. Your loaches will thank you for it.

Emma

ah, I can wait a good few years before stressing out then That's good

Ippo, if you fill in your location in your profile, or atleast mention it in your qiestion, we may be able to better suggest what tanks might be available.

crazy loaches wrote:Ippo, if you fill in your location in your profile, or atleast mention it in your qiestion, we may be able to better suggest what tanks might be available.

I'm in Michigan.
I like to look out for cheap tank deals, especially used ones.
I figured I think I need at least a 90-100 gallon tank for these guys to grow.
I read up that fishes whose growth are stunted can die.
Is this true?

My wife and I each have our own 55 gal tanks which are overloaded with fish. Wife's tank has 31 smaller clowns - 1/1/2" to 3", (2) 4-5" blue botias and (1) 4-1/2" red-tailed shark, (1) 3-1/2" rainbow shark, (3) long fin rosy barbs and 3 pepper corys. Everything was great until we added the blue botias last week and now we have an ick outbreak. I am treating with Ick Guard for scaleless fish and raised the temp to 85 degrees. Once the ick is resolved I hope to her tank settled down to enjoy. My wife just loves the clowns and can't leave them at the fish stores when she sees them.
My tank is equally overloaded with (5) Red Irian Rainbows, (1) 4-1/2" Red-tailed shark, (7) half dollar sized black veil angels, (3) rosy barbs, (1) 4" Bosemani Rainbow, (2) 3-1/2" swordtails, (1) half dollar sized gold severum, (3) corys. We both run Eheim Pro 2 canister filters with suplemental power filters for carbon, etc. Water quality in both tanks is good except for nitrates which are running in the 40-50+ range. I have some "Algone" on order to bring the nitrates down hopefully, otherwise we will be getting denitrators to get the nitrates under control.
More or bigger tanks are out of the question so we will have to do the best we can with the 55's.
I'm always looking for helpful advice.

Clown loaches will outgrow a 55 gallon after a time and must be moved to larger quarters to prevent stunting. If you can't see yourself being able to provide them with a more spacious tank, for the wellbeing of the loaches you have to think about rehoming them with someone who can. Those tanks sound pretty cramped.

Also, the blue Botia (Yasuhikotakia modesta) tend to be of a much more aggressive nature and are not really suitable for keeping in a general community tank.

Emma

Ippo456 wrote:

crazy loaches wrote:Ippo, if you fill in your location in your profile, or atleast mention it in your qiestion, we may be able to better suggest what tanks might be available.

I'm in Michigan.
I like to look out for cheap tank deals, especially used ones.
I figured I think I need at least a 90-100 gallon tank for these guys to grow.
I read up that fishes whose growth are stunted can die.
Is this true?

Well I checked glasscages.com one of the places I look for tanks first, and the closest delivery they do to Michigan is Cleveland. Looks like they were just there yetserday, might not be back for a year. But if cheap is what you really want have you considered looking on craigslist for used tanks? Once in a while you can find a steal of a deal. http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/mi