Regarding Clown Loach

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

I'm getting 4 clown loaches tomorrow and just wanted to know if they can be kept in a planted tank ? My major worry is that the forground grass plants have not yet established (as I've just planted them a few days ago) and wanted to know if Clown Loaches generally dig the gravel up ? Will they uproot the grasses and other plants ?

Kindly guide me friends...
Thanks !
Kush

[fishorama]

My clowns like to "taste" new plants. I feed the zucchini, romaine & leaf lettuce 3 or more times a week & they don't bother plants that have been in the tank with them. They do like to poke through the substrate so try putting some bigger stones near the small grass to let the root.

Don't you quarrantine new fish? Clown loaches often get ich when new. It would be easier to treat them in a smaller tank if needed & wouldn't introduce any to your main tank & other fish. Loaches can also have internal parasites so watch them for "skinny disease". I treat new loaches with levamisole but I don't know if it's available where you are.

[krytan]

What size tank?

[fishcatch22]

What size tank?yeah.... this is important as clown loaches can get about 12" (30cm) as adults. 4 CLs would need a tank of about 200 gallons (800l) as full adults. however... they do grow slowly so you should have plenty of time to get a larger tank by then.

[Lupin]

They'll uproot your plants in no time. They sift the bottom to look for foods. As far as tank size, 75g is good to start with. Upgrade as they grow.

[lovemybarbs]

I have two. When I first introduced the plants, they thought they were dinner. They would chew right through the stems.

Now they leave them alone. I guess they figured out they weren't for them.