Loaches and clicking noises

PsyKick

PsyKick

AC Members
Aug 14, 2008
203
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16
Arcata Ca
So, I recently moved my zebra loaches and my kuhli loaches out of their 20 gallon and into a 29 gallon with sand (and some snails to help them settle in) and I have been noticing some weird clicking noises.

At first I was freaked because I thought it was glass cracking, but I cant find any cracks, and the tank is brand new. So now I am wondering if it is the loaches?

Has anyone heard of these two species making clicking noises?

The only other creature in there is an albino BN pleco and I am pretty sure they dont click...
 
Botia loaches can make a clicking noise with their grinding or pharyngeal teeth, they do it not just to process food but also as a sort of social pleasure indicator. My bet is that they are super happy about the sand substrate. I hear zebras eat snails like clowns do, and are probably pecking at the new vittles too. Mmm mollusks!
 
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Definitely the zebra loaches. I hear my clowns click when they eat pellets and tiger loaches and orange-finned loaches click when they clash with each other as they settle their territorial disputes.
 
My clown loaches make the clicking noise also. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was making the noise. I had read that clown loaches make the clicking noise but I had mine for a long time before I heard it. They normally remain hidden except when the come out to eat and I rarely ever see them both out at the same time, but when both of them are out at the same time is when they make the clicking noise so I think it may have to do with them being territorial and if you just moved them into a new tank they may be trying to establish new territories.
 
My zebra loaches click every morning when they come out to eat. It's hard to believe how load that noise is. I can't say as I have ever heard my kuhli's do it.
 
I don't think kuhlis click. It is their bifid spines that cause the sounds which only botiine loaches are capable of doing so.
 
I have some Botia loaches in my 75g and they make this clicking sound when I throw in an algae wafer or a meat wafer. Its pretty cool!
 
I can't tell which loaches are clicking any more, I hear some but too many loaches to say exactly, striatas I think, clown for sure, sids maybe...then there's the mystery splashers...eee, it's spooky in the night here. ooooh, insomnia!
 
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