Caring for my Clown Loach

[terjod]

I just recently bought a young clown loach to control my snail infestation. Unfortunatly, I did a bad thing,*crazysmil and did not research it very much before buying it... and yes I am ashamed of this!

I have placed some drift wood in my tank (20 US Gallons), as well as a number of new plants to provide shading and hiding places. Lastly, I added this neat little brick-type ornament that has proven to be the most perfect hiding place for my lonely loach. He is currently housed with 2 Pictus Catfish in a mature, stable tank.

My tank stats are as follows:
pH: 7.2
Amm: 0
Nit I: 0
Nit A: 35
I am unsure of my alkalinity and hardiness, but do plan on investing in test kits for these as well.

Now, I ask, would it be best for me to purchase some "friends" for my loach? The various sites I have visited have said various things... some say groups, others say it doesn't matter. I understand that they are shy fish and do not particularily like too much light, but he seems to be spending ALL of his time in the "brick"...

Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable? What do you all suggest?

THANK-YOU SO MUCH for your input! *SUNSMILE* I really appreciate it!!!

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i would take this opportunity to tell my parents that the new loach requires a 500 gallon tank, and lots of tank buddies... but that probably wont work. how about saving your money and buying one of those 55 gallon starter kits. i have seen then for $160, at petsmart. i want to get one but i already have alot of tanks. if you can afford it though i would still go for the 500 gallon tank idea.

 

[lostnconfused]

the clown loach itself is way to big for a 20 gal.. the profile on here says minimum of 29 gal, however, someone on this website said that 29 gal was way to small for it..(i know this because i have a 30 gal tank and someone told me it would be way to big for my tank) On another website www.liveaquaria.com it says 50 gal minimum. Dont feel bad, I did the same thing with my bala shark. He's suppossed to be in a minimum 55 gal tank.

the starter kits are great, except you have to buy the tank, then a stand (if you dont already have one) then you're out like $250 bucks. If you have the room for a larger stand, maybe you could go to pawn shops or something and see if they have something thats in good condition for a reasonable price. Hopefully, I'll be able to do the same!!!

 

[terjod]

I understand that I will eventually need to get a larger tank... my loach is only an inch long right now, and I am confident that it will be fine in a 20 Gal for at least a month or two until I do get my larger tank... the 20 Gal was intended to be a Swordtail tank, but as I was cycling it I somehow bred snails in there. I try to avoid chemical treatments at any cost, and was told by the "fish lady" that clown loach fish are wonderful snail removers.

I suppose part of the issue and panic I am experiencing is because the usual person I buy my fishes from was not there when I bought my fish... she is very good about telling customers that you need to have specific things in place before buying certain fish.

Sorry I was not this clear in my first post... but I am a little scared I will do something wrong and kill it! I hate having fish die when they first come home. I guess what I am wondering is what I can do to make it as comfortable as possible in a 20 Gal for a couple of months so that it survives long enough for me to get my MONSTER tank. (I am saving right now for a 280 Gal oak tank, accessories and stand set up I found for $900)

THANKS AGAIN! I appreciate you help so far!

 

[Lotus]

Is there anything other than the two pictus cats in the tank?

If it's only a month or two until you get a larger tank, you should wait, then get him some more clowns as company (a group of 3, minimum). Keep a close eye on him for ich.

 

[lordroad]

Is there anything other than the two pictus cats in the tank?

If it's only a month or two until you get a larger tank, you should wait, then get him some more clowns as company (a group of 3, minimum). Keep a close eye on him for ich.

I agree. Hold onto it, especially as you're planning a larger (280 gallons!!!) tank in the future. If you get into clowns as much as I did when I had 'em, you could get 9 or 15 in a tank that large, that would be sweet.

Keep the temp high, 80 degrees, I kept mine at 82. All my clowns got ich but each successfully got over it with a bout of raised temps and salt.

 

[Dennis-Pir]

Ya buddies for loaches are other loaches... IMO

And yes yes I'm upgrading my tank... lol

 

[terjod]

Thanks Everyone!!!!

I will wait on getting him some new friends. And yes, he is in the tank with two pictus catfish (and two swordtails that refuse to be caught!). So the population is low. I am going to add a few more plants for now, and I guess that's it until later on.

 

[DRLashambe]

I'm going to disagree with tradition slightly, and tell you to go out and get at least two more loaches. At this age, your loaches will double in size in about six months, and will still be okay in the 20g. Loaches can get pretty active during the night, but spend a lot of time hiding, especially if you don't have a lot of top level "dither" fish. The clowns will be fine, but not if you only have one alone. Go out and get a nice, safe hiding place that you think the three could fit in (any kind of enclosure that doesn't have anything sharp). I went through the same guilty feelings as you when I started out, and it was unfounded. They'll be fine in the small tank for a while.

Keep in mind, however, that loaches are very sensitive to water conditions, so do weekly 25% water changes, and make sure you condition any tap water before you put it in.

My clown loaches (five altogether) started out the same way as yours, and my biggest is now 7". Trust me, you've got six months to a year to get a bigger tank.

 

[tzzawtunteresa]

suggestions for the lonely fish

I may be late if you have bought some more loaches but I think your fish needs more fishes of his kind. I have read in some sites that says that louches go in group.

The sites also suggest that there should 4 at least. I read in a site that a clown louch that is alone may become aggeasive. I suggest that you give your louch some companians to play with. I also suggest you to have active fishes. I read in a site that says this: " Clown Loach Behavior is characterized as shy or reclusive, to lively and friendly, so they are all around the personality spectrum. It has been said it may depend on what other kind of fish are in the tank. If the tank is in harmony and all the fish are getting along, so to speak, a clown loach will mimic this behavior and seem happy. If the tank mates are reclusive and skid-dish, for instance, if you have your fish tank in a high traffic area and the fish get scared a lot, then the clown loach my be a little more stand offish also.".

I think that the active the other fishes are, the active your louches are. That's my theory. I hope this willl help you.