Loud Clowns

Lubbinloaches

Lubbinloaches

Large Fish
#1
Sep 16, 2004
170
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49
Fort McMurray, AB
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#1
I've always had a thing for loaches...but just got my first clown loaches a few days ago. They're totally silly and entertaining little creatures...although a little skiddish compaired to the rest of my loaches. Anyway, when I first brought them home I was totally blown away with how LOUD they are when they eat!! These guys are maybe 1.5" long (I have 3), but when they're eating I can hear them from the other side of the room. I'm assuming this is normal? This isn't the typical loach sucking noise you get from top feeding. They make clicking noises while feeding on the bottom.

Does anyone know what causes this? Second question is has anyone had a clown loach kill a fish bigger than it...or other fish in general. One of my giant danios was dead the following morning after adding these clown loaches. Had a bite out of his throat area...but I'm thinking that it must have happed after it died considering my school of giants are king of the aquarium. This was a totally happy and active danio the day prior.
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#2
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
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Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#2
Yes, the clicking noise is normal. There are debates about whether it's a sign of happiness, a signal that there's something yummy in the tank or a pecking order thing. Our loaches generally only click when they really like whatever we have fed them.

I haven't heard of clowns killing fish, especially larger fish. Have you checked your water parameters in case there was an ammonia or nitrite spike after adding the clowns?
 

Lubbinloaches

Lubbinloaches

Large Fish
#3
Sep 16, 2004
170
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49
Fort McMurray, AB
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#3
Yes... My water is perfect. The only fish in my aquarium that I think could do any damage to my danio is my African Butterfly...but you know how passive they are. Big maws on them...but you pretty much have to swim into their mouths to get them to bite. And he's the least aggressive fish in the world when it comes to his tank mates!!

I'm stumped....
 

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