I currently have two 1.5-2 inch clown loaches in my 55 g tank, with one having particularly excellent coloration; very vibrant clear black and orange stripes. The other one, however, is not as attractive color-wise, he seems a bit washed out. I've seen other loaches with similar color problems, but those were all under adverse conditions (lack of food, space, oxygen, etc) and I'm not sure why one looks great while the other doesn't. Is there any specific food I can give to enhance his coloration, or anything else I can do in general? Thanks.
Enhancing clown loach color
- Thread starter JeremyFlint
- Start date
I'm sure Lupin the loach expert will be along soon, but I do know that clown loaches have a social hierarchy, and they tend to get washed out when they are fighting for dominance, or generally just sorting out who's who in the social order. In a bigger group, the tension is dispersed, but with just two loaches, they have no one to pick at but each other. Maybe your paler loach is the less dominant one, or is responding to the stress of the hierarchy order being constantly unsettled. I read online that loaches should be kept in a minimum group of 5.
But I would be the last person to recommend you buy more. I have 4 in a 55 gallon tank--which they'll outgrow--and because I can't upgrade, I'll need to re-home them, and so far I have had a lot of trouble finding them a suitable new home.
But I would be the last person to recommend you buy more. I have 4 in a 55 gallon tank--which they'll outgrow--and because I can't upgrade, I'll need to re-home them, and so far I have had a lot of trouble finding them a suitable new home.
It's usually stress. However, the bigger the loaches get, the more faded their coloring is. But, at only 2'', they should not be having that change yet.
All the above is true. The caveat is that Clown loaches do prefer to be in larger groups, but get WAY too big for a 55G. Unless there is a certain big tank in your future, I'd recommend rehoming them or returning them before you get too attached. Good alternatives for a 55G would be Botia almorhae (Yoyos), Sinibotia robusta, or similar in a group of 4-6.
:welcome: to AC!
:welcome: to AC!
Yes, but I also get attached to fish and big fish are difficult too rehome. The ADULT size of a fish should dictate what is stocked IMO.
It could be stress, but IMO it is probably due to dominance. The dominant clown loaches are typically darker in color than the less dominant ones.
He still wouldn't need to upgrade for several years.
Yeah, I agree, with only two, it is probably occassional battles.
I think HN understands how slow the growth of clown loaches is but he is saying that larger loaches are harder to rehome and most people get too attached to their fish by that time.