View Full Version : Loaches Seem Shy
bkgodfrey
07-20-2007, 1:25 PM
I just got a couple clown loaches and had a question about their behavior. First, I've been told by some of you on here that I need to get at least one more so they can be in a group of 3. Second, I just want to make sure they are ok. Since I've gotten them I've rarely seen them. I have a large castle in my tank and they have pretty much stayed in there since I got them, which was about 4 days ago. I saw one yesterday morning swimming around but as soon as I got out of bed and began moving around he disappeared. Is this normal for them to be shy like they are or could there be something wrong? Thanks for the advice.
kuhliloach
07-20-2007, 2:09 PM
you should provide more hiding places or watch them at night, that used to happen with my kuhliloaches. i figured that since there both loaches this should work. also feed them more oftten, where is the tank?
jm1212
07-20-2007, 3:34 PM
give them some more time to adjust to their surroundings. also, adding another should help. keep in midnt aht they are going to need at least 180 gallons for a group of five
jwddboy
07-20-2007, 3:40 PM
yeah clown loaches like to be in groups of 5 ideally. however they do get big.
They also take longer than a lot of other fish to become accustomed to you and the new surroundings. give them at least a couple of months to be full aquainted with you and the other fish in the tank
StevePlatts1985
07-20-2007, 5:55 PM
I got a couple of zebra loaches at the weekend and they have a very similar temprement. They both hide in my centrepiece on in my plants most of the time and bury their heads wherever possbile. They are fun to watch when they're out though.
I shouldn't worry too much, from what I've seen of loaches in general they all like to hide but as mentioned earlier, they should come out at night for sure.
Yoyos are the possible exception of those that are generally too shy to move into the open. Still, I must agree that the loaches are best kept at a number of 3 as the minimum.
loaches r cool
07-21-2007, 3:39 PM
3 as an absolute minimum, but I'd reccomend 5-6 for long term as a minimum. I assume these are in your 30g tank... just be advised in such a tank they will probably start to stunt soon, probably in under a year? You should be getting them a 4 foot tank and even that is probably only good for 1-2 years or so. Most consider a 6 foot by two foot footprint to be the minimum size for them to grow to thier full potential. And remember these are very social fish, even 5 is a minimum, meaning they would still be much happier in a group of like a dozen. If you dont think you can provide good long term care for them then consider maybe getting a smaller loach species.