Question about Clown Loaches

[hsherman1986]

Hey everyone. I am new here, and to the hobby. I currently have a 55 gallon with 10 Zebra danios, 10 neon tetras, 8 guppies, 6 black neons, 6 lyertail mollies, 4 harlequin rasboras, 3 silver hatchet fish, 3 red minor tetras, 3 lemon tetras, 1 ghost shrimp, and 1 clown loach. My questions are reguarding my clown loach. I have read that they are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of three or more. I did not know that until after I bought him (I bought him for snail control, then he grew on me, he is just so fun to watch). I have just barely enough room in my tank for him and possibly two more clowns. Now my main question is, how often do they get more than 6 inches in a tank set up? I have heard and seen that they can get pretty big, and if they grow to be more than 6 inches, I will hav to move them to a different tank set up (I already plan on getting another 55 gallon for either cichlids or discus). For those of you that own clowns, how many do you have, how big are they, and how long did it take for them to get their size? Thanks in advanced.

[budrecki]

I have 7 clowns, and I have seen first had how they "change" when their family size increases. Started with3, went to 5, now 7. They really become different fish. MUCH more active, and playful. You haven’t laughed until you see loach games. In an effort to further expand their family; my 7 loaches have adopted Rufus, the 16 inch pleco, as one of theirs. The loach pile him every chance they get. (Loaches are very tactile, they like to touch. When at rest, they "Loach Pile". Lay on top of each other like a pile of logs.)

As for size, they do get big, but grow slowly. My largest is about 6 inches. All of my loaches are different sizes, seems to be part of the hierarchy of the family.

I would not add anymore clowns to you current set up; you are borderline over stocked IMO.

[hsherman1986]

yea i know i am borderline right now, but i thought since he hangs to the bottom all the time, and everyone else is in the mid to top range, one more might be ok. Will he be alright by himself till i get my next tank? and then, will they be compatible with cichlids or discus?

[budrecki]

It's not about where the fish swim, it's about the amount of waste they produce. At your current stock level, you should be doing 50-75% water change weekly.

[hsherman1986]

thanks for that advice. I have decided to buy a second 55 gallon for him, so I can get him some buddies :D I am also removing the serpaes from the tank (they are too agressive, and fin nipping my lemons and my guppies). The danios will also temporarily be removed from this current tank to cycle the new 55 gallon. Once the cycle is complete, Clyde (my current loach) will be added, and I will slowly introduce more loaches (probably 5-7 total), and the danios will go back to the original tank.

I also have a compatibility question. Will the clown loaches get along well with maybe a pair of angels, and a pair of discus? I was contemplating adding those to the new tank as well as more loaches.

[born2lovefish]

clown loaches grow very slowly. I had one in my 75 gallon and he did fine, but I could tell he was not real happy. I now have 5 in my 75 that are over 2 inches and they are so fun to watch. They go everywhere together and they all are happy. I would recommend getting at least three. Like I said I have 5 and I wish I had at least 7!

[fishyaddict]

thanks for that advice. I have decided to buy a second 55 gallon for him, so I can get him some buddies :D .

You really should buy a 75 for them instead of a 55. 75 gallons is the minimum recommended size for adult clown loaches, and the cost difference is pretty minimal.

[thesydmonster]

I am not sure than loaches would work with the angles or discus... don't they require a bit of difference in set ups? Also, they can be quite active and startle the other fish. I think bottom dwellers such as cory cats are recommended, though.

[naps]

I know that clowns get along fine with Angels and I THINK that discus would be ok too. Just keep in mind Discus are hard fish too keep and most people keep them in a species only tank with just Discus because of this reason. But the loaches also like it on the warmer side as well as good water quality, like the discus. So from what I know it could be done.
I also agree that you should go for the 75g tank insted of the 55 for the loaches. I bought 3 and have them in my 20g until I get my new 80g all set up. Then the loaches and angels will move over to the larger tank and then I can add a few more clowns to the group. It REALLY makes a difference to have the loaches in groups!! They are SO much more happy and active!