My loaches are speaking to me... Is this normal?

[MurphysAquarist]

Seriously, I have 3 loaches, a Burmese (botia histrionica), a Yo-Yo (botia almorhae), and the third may be either (he hasn't matured enough to tell yet). I have observed all three stick their snouts out of the water and make a clicking noise and its not a single click either. Anybody else seen this or have any idea why they do it?

 

[user_name]

How are your oxygen levels? Maybe the fish are trying to get air, and that's the sound made when they get to the top and suck in oxygen. Have you changed anything recently, or have you changed your maitenence schedule? (Colder water, more changes, frequenter changes) Does anything seem to inspire this, or is it done at random? I.E my weather loaches always freak out during water changes, but if I'm just putting my hand in or moving plants they don't care as much.

 

[MurphysAquarist]

I don't know anyway to check my oxygen levels (if you do, let me know) but I have an airstone and live plants so I would expect them to be fine. I have changed from one to two water changes a week but this behavior has actually been going on for months, I just never asked about it before. They seem to do it most often right after lights out.

 

[chickenlady]

Seems I read that loaches were like some catfish that make croaking /clicking noises. That is just normal behavoir for them.

 

[Rbishop]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botia

 

[The Zigman]

Is normal.
Mine do it all the time.

 

[Samsmobb]

They may not get enough food.
mine do it when they done find food n come up to the top looking for flakes

 

[MurphysAquarist]

Ok all, thanks for the responses. There seems to be a general agreement that this is normal. I am certain that they are getting PLENTY to eat though thank you for the possibility.