Clown Loach and Neons....

[melissa3]

About a month ago I bought a baby clown loach to be a companion for my other loach. Well, yesterday I noticed the new loach hasn't grown much, is terribly skinny and is constantly being chased by my old clown loach.


I was thinking of transferring the new loach to another tank I have thats full of neons tetras and guppies. My concern is if the loach will eat/attack them. The loach is still small, and probably couldn't fit a whole neon in his mouth, but Im sure that wouldn't stop him if he wanted to eat it. Will my neons be safe with a clown loach?

 

[H3D]

Your neons will be fine. Clown loaches are not normally known to eat other live fish until they reach sexual maturity. IMO clown loaches should never be kept in pairs to prevent this type of situation. Ideally they should be in groups of 5 or more.

 

[fishorama]

"Terribly skinny" could be a sign of internal parasites, not uncommon in loaches. Levamisole treatment might be a good idea if he doesn't gain weight away from the older one. I agree with H3D, 3 is a bare minimum. Neons & guppies aren't ideal tankmates but they should be safe. Most loaches like more current than those fish would.

 

[H3D]

Can you get a pics to post? So we can see what you mean by terribly skinny.