Clown loaches going - replace with what?

[icecubez189]

did i read that right, your afraid your clown loaches are going to outgrow your 39gal tank!? i have 2 in my 29gal tank and the biggest one is like 2-3" and ive had him almost 2years or so now.....

clown loaches have the potentional to reach 1 feet or more in length. thats a massive clown loach. most likely both of yours have had stunted growth, which is not good for them. clown loaches also prefer to be in groups of 5 and more.

 

[Sammie7]

Oh my, your clown is going to probably have problems in the long run that's if it even grows to it's potential mature size. http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_clown.php
Just a question for the well being for your other fish, jubjub, what other fish do you have?

 

[janger]

A bit off topic, but although I agree that any animal should be able to reach it's optimal size, health etc, I'd like to know about this "stunted growth" thing. Are there any references to the health effects? IIRC, this sometimes happens in nature, when there's a population explosion of a certain species and they become stunted due to overcrowding and lack of food. But once the population becomes balanced again, there seems to be no ill effects on the species.

 

[fballguy]

Just a question for the well being for your other fish, jubjub, what other fish do you have?

I believe I can answer that sammie

Ok, have been thinking the last couple of days and I'm nowhere near having the tank how I want.

2 Dwarf Gouramis
2 Glass cats
1 Oto
1 Bristlenose
7 Neons
and the 3 x 3inch clowns

So there's not a great deal in the tank because the clowns have been holding me back.

I had two otos but one died the first night. I would like to get one or two more but they were expensive here. One Glass Cat came accidentally with the loaches. I thought about returning it but decided to get another and see how they went (could return them if it didn't work out). They're doing great, even swimming with the other fish at night, though they'd feel more secure with a few more of their own, I guess.

The tank is very peaceful. Plenty of plants for everyone to hide amongst and decent HOB filtration. Since converting to a planted tank a few months ago, and slowly stocking, there's never been an ammonia or nitrite spike. Nitrates are staying stable at around 10ppm.

So please tell me what I could do, or what I should change.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[fballguy]

A bit off topic, but although I agree that any animal should be able to reach it's optimal size, health etc, I'd like to know about this "stunted growth" thing. Are there any references to the health effects? IIRC, this sometimes happens in nature, when there's a population explosion of a certain species and they become stunted due to overcrowding and lack of food. But once the population becomes balanced again, there seems to be no ill effects on the species.

You might get better answers if you post this in a new thread. Just a suggestion. That way you still get the advice you need here without it becoming a stunting debate where yuo can't find the answers to your original question.

 

[Sammie7]

I believe I can answer that sammie

I was talking to Jubjub, the person who thinks that Janger is wrong for thinking the clown loach will outgrow his 39 gallon tank. Jubjub, currently has 2 clowns in their 29 gallon and thinks that is okay. For this reason, I wonder if they also possibly have a clown knife in there as well or something to that effect.

 

[janger]

You might get better answers if you post this in a new thread. Just a suggestion. That way you still get the advice you need here without it becoming a stunting debate where yuo can't find the answers to your original question.

Totally agree and will do.

Although the aquahobby site has some good info, subjective comments like the following really must confuse a lot of people:
"I love these fish and they are perfect for a home aquarium. I recommend everyone to buy clown loaches! They are fun to watch and have some interesting habits."

Now, how many people with 20 litre tanks would go and buy 5 clowns after reading that. In fact, recently in a store catalog they were advertising those 18 liter eclipse-type aquariums, and guess what the picture showed in the tank? 3 or 4 clowns.

Now, back to what to replace the clowns with?

 

[Rbishop]

Add two more otos and 3-5 cory

 

[janger]

That sounds like a plan. But would there still be room to add at least one other glass cat or would that be pushing it?

 

[bluekrissyspike]

Your clowns won't outgrow your tank....i'm pretty sure. They do get rather enormous in nature or if you have a huge tank, with a current and everything, but in a tank your size they will probably grow to a rather small 4 inches or so.......6 would be the biggest they would possibly get.. besides don't you find them entertaining? i love my loaches. i have a clown, a yo-yo, 2 kuhli's and a weather loach. Clowns will be the largest....
cory's are nice too, i have 2 but everyone has them