clowns in QT

Try staying near the tank when you feed them, and make sure they can see you. If you hold either a cube of frozen blood worms, or freeze dried tubifex worms with your fingers, eventually they should get brave enough to venture out with you around, even take the food from your fingers (mine did while in QT).

Also, just give them another week, I believe mine didn't come around till the second week. (I'm going to seriously start keeping a journal about all fish related behavior, tank water conditions, water changes, etc... etc...)

One last thing, I had other fish in QT at the same time as the clowns, and I believe that helps keep the clowns calm and feeling safe, because they weren't the type of fish that hides (i.e. 5 rasboras).



HTH,
Serg

I just got a new one too, and I am using a q-tank (5g) for the first time. Mine was in there with just a plant, and was really nerved up, like yours seem. I put a cave in, and after being nerved up about that, he started using it, and seems more comfortable. I have had mine for 4 days, and he comes out for a bit if it is still, but swims away when i approach. I believe your fish and mine just need time. You have to make sure their cave is big enough to fit into, so they don't hurt temselves. More hiding spots might put them at ease, as you suggested. Low light as you said too.

can you get yours to eat yet? Mine might be, but not until the food has sat for a while. that is a good sign when they eat! Perhaps luring them out with food?

Also did they come from a 10g? Mine was in a 10 with many other fish at the store. Now it is in a 5g all alone . The fish have to deal with size, scenery, and occupant change, perhaps water chemistry as well. Lots of adaptations. I feel bad cause mine spazzes a little too and in the smaller tank, there is less room, hence the violent body smashing. I feel so bad...remind me why I am keeping my fish in this little Q-tank!?!

Patience and time. hope that helps!


An

loaches.com

I read about what socal. said about other fish on loaches.com it is an effect where loaches see that there is no danger cause the others are out safely.

My first loach was thrown in the tank with 6 other fish (not recommended of course to put everything in at once!) and it adjusted much quicker.

socal: did you use an expendable fish? Or one you already had?

I have heard conflicting info on feeding frozen worms directly to fish without thawing...though perhaps once or twice?

yeah the clownloaches take a while to get used to the area, and its better to have smaller fishes around that swim alot so they clownloaches feel safe knowing theirs no preditors to attack the small fishes so there should be none to attack them. - kinda what loaches.com said

And **** 6loaches in a 10gal, i thought my 4 was alot haha...

FishyLisa said:

socal: did you use an expendable fish? Or one you already had? I have heard conflicting info on feeding frozen worms directly to fish without thawing...though perhaps once or twice?

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I bought 5 rasboras specifically for this purpose (which eventually went in my 29g), plus I had my 4 baby balas in the QT with my loaches.

I have also read that feeding frozen foods without thawing is bad. But when i used to hand feed them, if you just swish the cube around a bit, you will notice that the worms defrost fairly quickly, and it looks like you're holding a little 'medusa head' lol. If they would get greedy and go for the still frozen part, I'd just move the cube away from them.

TipStylez said:

And **** 6loaches in a 10gal, i thought my 4 was alot haha...

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Well, the 10g is only a QT. Eventually Holly will be putting the loaches in her 180g.

What are your plans for your 4 loaches in your 29g, Tip?


HTH,
Serg

keep them in there for now untill they grow and by the time there too big for the tank, i will have enough money to set up a 60gal somthing around that.

Hard to spend alot of money on fishes when my other passion is cars X]

TipStylez said:

keep them in there for now untill they grow and by the time there too big for the tank, i will have enough money to set up a 60gal somthing around that.

Hard to spend alot of money on fishes when my other passion is cars X]

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True, when my friend Jason told me that his sound system alone cost about the same as my 180g tank, my jaw dropped, lol.

I would try to save for something larger than a 60g however, because you know that they will grow to 12" with proper care, right? That way you wont have to spend more money later on, to upgrade the 60g.

Or, if you decide not to buy a tank in the future, you can send them to me, haha.


Serg