View Full Version : Clown loach full of eggs
DLV082
08-04-2009, 12:40 AM
I have a 8" clown loach (named Norman) which I believe is carrying eggs at the moment. Because in the last month or so without being feed any differently it has become extremely fat, and also two of the other larger loaches keep flanking it and won't leave it alone. My question is do Clown loaches become egg bound if they don't spawn or do they reobsorb the eggs?
Hi Debbie,
How big is the tank? If you have heard of Colin Dunlop of Scotland, his clown loaches bred with a pH of 4.0 and hardness levels at zero in his 300g tank however he removed the eggs rather prematurely causing the eggs to become infertile.
DLV082
08-04-2009, 1:32 AM
Hi Lupin
My tank is 180g planted. Ph 7.5. I have 6 clown loaches all up. I didn't think that they would successfully spawn as I know this is not common just wanted to make sure Norman would be ok. If there is anything I should be doing or just leave well enough alone.
But I have noticed that they are digging in the sand underneath a large piece of driftwood with an anubis plant on it.
Thanks
Debbie
All I can suggest is at this point, leave them alone. Condition them on high protein diet particularly mussels, bloodworms and shrimps. Do a large water change afterwards making sure the new water is a tad warmer. This might trigger them to spawn.
DLV082
08-04-2009, 1:45 AM
The high protien diet is no problem. But when you suggest large water changes are you talking daily after feeding. I currently do a 50% WC on this tank every 5 days.
Ahh...I'd go with over 60-70% on the next schedule. Hopefully this will trigger the fish to spawn and you won't have to worry about it possibly being egg bound which can indeed happen.
DLV082
08-08-2009, 1:32 AM
Ok have done a 75% water change with the water being added 3 degrees higher than the water in tank. Keeping fingers crossed and hoping Norman will spawn.
wynnfang
08-18-2009, 1:04 PM
i too have a few different loaches that seem fatter that normal they have been like this for a while. It is not a loach only tank however. It is a 55g community tank. Will other fish mess with them if I do a water change to get them to spawn?
DLV082
08-18-2009, 8:30 PM
Wynnfang,
Depends on what your other fish are. If they are peaceful I don't think it will be a problem. They will just probably eat the eggs afterwards.
Norman didn't spawn after the first wc so I have done another at the higher temp and she is still getting bigger as we speak but their behaviour has changed (racing up and down the back of the tank and clicking more than usual) so I am hopeful that they might spawn soon. Don't care if the spawn survives just want Norman to be ok.
Good luck with your loaches
Cheers
Debbie
The Zigman
08-18-2009, 8:52 PM
Good luck with them!
Might be time to change ol Norman's name... Maybe Nancy... or Nina
DLV082
08-19-2009, 1:18 AM
Zigman,
The thought had crossed my mind when I realised the Norman was a she but she has had this name for 8 years now and I don't think my children would take kindly to my changing it.
Cheers
Debbie
toddnbecka
08-19-2009, 11:53 AM
I doubt that "Norman" is worried either way... :shakehead:
Madding
08-19-2009, 3:23 PM
The last person I've heard of who successfully bred clowns had coverted his tub into something akin to the loaches natural rainy season using his shower.
andyjs
08-19-2009, 3:36 PM
Zigman,
The thought had crossed my mind when I realised the Norman was a she but she has had this name for 8 years now and I don't think my children would take kindly to my changing it.
Cheers
Debbie
At the fish farm where I used to work , they have a 16 or 17 year old white sturgeon believed to be a female, but she was originally named "George", so that name stuck as well
DLV082
08-20-2009, 2:14 AM
George a good solid old fashion name just like Norman. Just to think the reason we named her Norman was that she was growing the fastest and just assumed she must be male. So much for that theory.
Quinn1928
08-20-2009, 6:59 AM
good luck!
SubRosa
08-20-2009, 7:32 AM
Try a large water change again with RO or distilled water that is cooler than the tank temp. This mimics what happens during the rainy season when most tropicals spawn. And good luck, breeding Clowns in a tank is a serious accomplishment!
I've known a girl named George.
Georgette's and Georgina's are sometimes nicknamed George.
Norman should perhaps be Norwoman though... the kids might not even notice the subtle change.
DLV082
08-21-2009, 5:11 AM
SubRosa,
I will try the next WC at a cooler temperature (the tank is due for a WC tomorrow) as all the last WC at warmer temps did was cause my congo tetras to spawn much to the delight of the other fish in the tank. They see it as a free feed. But something is going on as the Loaches are acting very weird.
Cheers
Debbie