Clown loach owners.

Would I be able to consider Clown Loaches, if so how many would you recommend for my 55-gallon with:

13 White Cloud Danios
11 Rasbora Tetras (just added 6 yesterday to my school of 5)
7 Spotted Corydoras
3 Dwarf Gouramis
4 Dwarf Cichlids --2 Male/2Female (Is common name a Blue Ram? or Butterfly?)
1 Gold Mystery snail
1 Otto (survivor of two for some brown diatom algae control, but wondering if he needs companions...?)

---Using Emperor 400 Biowheel, have Amazon Swords, Onion Bulbs, Java fern, Red Wendt, red-leaved lotus bulbs(?), corkscrew val and large pieces of driftwood.

Please, any advice...?
 
I guess 6would be a good number so they can be in a large enough group to not be scared of the cichlids.

You might want to get 1 or 2 small i mean really small loaches cause there cute and might even school with the tetras and clouds like my lil one dose.
 
ginsing, I would not get any clown loaches. You are about at your maximum stocking level as is, and the clowns will need at least double the size tank you have eventually. If you're set on them, start saving for a much larger tank so that you can accomodate them appropriately.

Tip, "cute" is not a good reason to get a fish if you do not have the appropriate size tank, and cannot provide room for an appropriate size school.
 
I have 3 in my 55 which are about 1 1/2 inches long right now. the only reason I got them is that I plan to get a larger tank. i wouldn't get any if you don't plan to have a larger tank.
When I upgrade to a 100-125 (whichever I can talk DH into) I plan to get a couple more clowns then.
 
THANKS!

I've definitely decided against them. I also did some more reading on them too, WOW, they can get pretty huge...and my snails are getting under control better just by snatching them out when I see 'em or the eggs..

I appreciate the info! Great site!!
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Newbi here :)

How quickly to clown loaches grow? If you put say 2 or 3 in a 20 gallon tank, how soon would you need to move them to an approprately sized tank?
 
When given lots of room, a varied diet, and clean water, they can grow at a decent rate.

It's best to just wait till you have the correct size aquarium before purchasing your clowns. Saving for a large aquarium can take a while for most people, and plans are always subject to change.

I have 5 in my 180g around 2.5 - 3" and I couldn't imagine putting them in anything smaller.



HTH
 
Thanks for the reply. :)

Unfortunately I aquired 2 clowns but only have a 20 gal at the moment. I'll be getting a much larger tank (75 - 100 gal? ) within the next month and the plan is to do a fishless cycle and then wait about 3 months before puting the loaches in there. I was considering buying a 3rd because I've read they prefer groups of 3 or more but they've been hanging out in the 'cave' with my 2 USD cats and seem conent for the moment.

Do you think 4 months is too long to keep them in the smaller tank? In addition to the 2 USDs I have 6 zebra danios and the planting level is about medium. Water stats are impeccable and so far no sign of ich (fingers crossed!)
 
Well, once you get your larger tank cycled, you can put them in right away. If it's cycled, there really isn't any need for an additional 3 months of waiting.

Try getting the 100g instead of the 75g, that way you can have more clowns. I read somewhere on loaches.com that it's cruel to keep a clown by itself. I wouldn't keep less than 4 together in a 100g, with a max being about 5.


Good luck, and HTH
 
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