QT and raising question???

[DLV082]

Hi All

I already have 6 rather large clown loaches in a 180g tank that is lightly stocked. I want to add another 3. My question is how long can these loaches stay in a tank 24"x12"x20" the new loaches will probably only be about 1" when I get them. I was thinking of trying to grow them out a couple of inches before adding them to the 180g so they don't feel so dwarfed beside their larger counterparts. Just to add this tank will be getting WC's every second day of at least 30% probably more.

Cheers

[fishorama]

I just added some small clowns to my "herd". I kept the 1.5 inch newbies in a 20g long for 8-10 weeks & treated with medicated deworming flakes (& maybe antibiotic flake since I had them). They've grown 1/2+ inches & are now with my 4-5 inch clowns, all happy together. I think an 4-8 week QT would be ample.

[DLV082]

Would it hurt to keep them in QT for about 4 months as my smallest loach in me 180G is 5 1/2". Or would they stress as there are only three of them in the QT tank.

[mountain_webste]

In my experience, I've never had any issues with larger clowns picking on smaller ones.

I think you are fine keeping the new ones in QT for a few months if you want to be safe.

Tank sounds nice, pics?

[DLV082]

Here a couple of pics of loach and tank. The first of Norman the largest loach and the second of the tank.

[Sigrid]

Debbie, WOW, :y220e:
Beautiful animal and gorgeous tank. How many Liter/gallons are in the tank?

[bgourami320]

Very nice tank, love your loaches:)

[teigan666]

well by this site it says that your tank isnt anywhere near 180 gallons it says that its 24.9 gallons by the deminsions that you gave above here is the link and maybe you mistakenly gave the wrong deminsions or i just read it wrong http://www.firsttankguide.net/calculator.php

[Sigrid]

:read: ...I guess this tank to be between 125 -180 gallons...

[fishorama]

I'd say it'd probably be ok, too long though & they may become stunted. I feed baby fish like you'll be getting 3-4 times a day to help them grow fast & change water every 2-3 days. Not very much bother in a small tank & clean water will help them grow faster too. Just check their water params & if you can't keep it up you could move them to the big tank then.

I'm not sure what dewormers you may be able to get in Oz but it could help them grow, loaches are prone to have nematodes. Even a light parasite load can slow them down.

Pretty tank, I've seen Norman before, nice!

[DLV082]

To clear up a few this the tank in the pic is 180g. This is not the tank I was referring to in my post. The tank I intend to QT th loaches in is a cycled breeder that is not currently being used it has a couple of BN in there the keep the filter cycled. Thanks for the nice comments about my tank and Norman.

Thanks fishorama, I intend to feed several times a day and it shouldn't be a problem as they will be with the other tanks with fry in them that are also fed several times a day.

[fishorama]

One more thing, my little clowns were jumpers so I left the water level down a couple inches. Still, drove me crazy with their splashing. My QT is a 20g long so shorter than yours & they don't do it now in a 20 inch deep tank but something to be careful about.

[fishman61]

clown loaches can grow to 12"

[DLV082]

clown loaches can grow to 12"

Yes, but very rarely in captivity. I believe the largest ATM is in the UK and is only 11". My largest loach is Norman pictured above he is only 8" and is between 10 and 11 years old.