Clown loaches don't grow as slow as people say. They tend to grow to 4-5 inches in length in under a year. Then they start to grow in body mass as well as length, putting on a half inch to an inch in length per year after that. A proper sized group of clown loaches after a year has pretty much almost outgrown a 55 gallon tank. A 90 gallon tank would last much longer for them than a 55 would.
Enhancing clown loach color
- Thread starter JeremyFlint
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Good point Haych. I heard that the first 4-6" is pretty quick, under a year like you said. But then after that it slows down.
Yeah, some sort of social dominance is probably the issue. I don't see them fighting or displaying aggression per se, but the slightly bigger one definitely makes a point of getting his food before the other one, perhaps that's part of it. I figured adding one or two more might diffuse the situation. I know that size is an issue, but the largest one I've ever encountered was an approx. 4 year old one that was only about 5 inches, so I figure I've got a while before it becomes an issue.
Keep in mind the 4-yr-old loach who was only 5 inches may or may not have been stunted, depending on the conditions he was housed in.
I don't want to discourage you, but I have a 55 gallon tank like you, and I feel like my loaches are already outgrowing it.
My first 3 clowns were were about 1.5 inches long when I bought them 8 months ago, and in that time they've more than doubled in size. Not only are they over 3 inches long now, but they've grown bulkier and rounder. And they still seem to be in the middle of a growth spurt. I wouldn't be surprised if they are 4 inches by the time I've had them for a year.
Again, I don't want to rain on your clown loach parade (they are fun fish, I know!), but just want to share my own experience since we have the same size tank.
I don't want to discourage you, but I have a 55 gallon tank like you, and I feel like my loaches are already outgrowing it.
My first 3 clowns were were about 1.5 inches long when I bought them 8 months ago, and in that time they've more than doubled in size. Not only are they over 3 inches long now, but they've grown bulkier and rounder. And they still seem to be in the middle of a growth spurt. I wouldn't be surprised if they are 4 inches by the time I've had them for a year.
Again, I don't want to rain on your clown loach parade (they are fun fish, I know!), but just want to share my own experience since we have the same size tank.
btw, this is a very good article:
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus
I wish I'd read that before buying my clowns.
Indeed, I went to the lfs that fateful day 8 months ago looking for cory catfish for a 20 gallon--the employee told me clown loaches would be a much better choice for me!
Live and learn.... and look for new homes for my fish
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus
I wish I'd read that before buying my clowns.
Indeed, I went to the lfs that fateful day 8 months ago looking for cory catfish for a 20 gallon--the employee told me clown loaches would be a much better choice for me!
Live and learn.... and look for new homes for my fish
The loaches I adopted were previously housed in a 29g and didn't seem to grow for the first year I had them. Stunting is a real problem, and you should ensure you have an upgrade path for them. Once they have been stunted it seems to slow their growth rate, and I can't imagine it's good for their longevity. Nothing wrong with planned upgrades but be serious about it if you want them to eventually reach their epic proportions.
