Are my Clown Loach ready to breed?

[Tiger15]

I have two pairs of clown loaches that are between 5 to 8 years old and up to 6 inch length. I don't know if they are male and female pairs but one of each pair has full belly twice the size of the other that looks like carrying a full load of eggs. They are not sick from bloat because the pairs are very active and eager to eat. What is going on?

Although most books say that Clown Loaches don't breed in captivity and not until they are a foot long, but lately, I heard that the Univeristy of Florida had found a secrete formula funded by Florida fish farmers to successfully bred Clown loaches at much smaller size.

[clayt101]

I think I remember reading that University of Florida uses Hormones to induce breeding, but I am not positive. The only captive breeding report I have heard of was in a highly planted tank, that was left alone. One day some plants were moved and small babies were found. I am preety sure this story is unconfirmed though. Have you checked www.loaches.com ?

[ChicoRaton]

I heard that story too. seems like I read it somewhere on www.thekrib.com

[lukeacris]

[b]my Clown Loaches Look Like They Are Fighting Eachother But They Are Alrite.is This Their Way Of Breeding

[pran]

I have two pairs of clown loaches that are between 5 to 8 years old and up to 6 inch length. I don't know if they are male and female pairs but one of each pair has full belly twice the size of the other that looks like carrying a full load of eggs. They are not sick from bloat because the pairs are very active and eager to eat. What is going on?

Although most books say that Clown Loaches don't breed in captivity and not until they are a foot long, but lately, I heard that the Univeristy of Florida had found a secrete formula funded by Florida fish farmers to successfully bred Clown loaches at much smaller size.

Its not to common to see them breed its pretty rare

[fishyaddict]

Its not to common to see them breed its pretty rare

while i've read of one documented case of them breeding in a home aquarium, i would say the chances of it happening would be right up there with winning the lottery so i would say that's pretty rare :p: