I bought some clown loaches who are in quarantine right now. However, they are constantly hiding in a cave I have in the tank for them and I am not really getting to observe them at all. After sitting still for several minutes, usually one or two will come out, but if I so much as tilt my head in the opposite direction they go back into hiding. Its only been a few days. If they don't start to come around, should I remove the cave to get a better look at them? I don't want to overly stress them. Or maybe just remove it for a short time each day to get a look?
observing in quarantine
- Thread starter Holly9937
- Start date
I'd try and give them plenty of time with the light off and as little movement around the tank as possible. Also, how many is some? Just curious as they prefer groups. AAfter a while you could always start leaving a light on, or sneaking up to the tank a bit. Just gradually increasing how close you are etc.
There are 5, and its only a 10g tank, but they are pretty small, so I hope its not too bad for them! And actually, there is no light on the tank, I didn't have a hood for this tank, just the glass lids, but they are near enough to a window to get day/night. I'll try sneaking up on them in a few days then 
I hope you have plans to get a larger tank soon. I have 3 in a 55 gallon and I know that I need to upgrade before long.
Thanks nursie, the 10g is only for qt, I even feel guilty about that but its the best I could do, and they're not very big, a couple of inches a piece. Once they get the all clear they're going into a 180g. I keep saying whenever I get to build a house that I'm going to get a tank put in the wall, so now I have an exscuse to get an even bigger one at that point 
Nursie said:
They're in quarantine, she has a 180g that she'll be putting them in. I have been following the development of this tank for a few days now, lol.
: Holly9937 said:
When I first got my clowns (5 around 2"), I quarantined them in a 10g as well, with only one CF bulb to light the tank (the low light level reduces stress on them). I also kept a cave made out of driftwood and slate, so that they could all fit inside together. I would never see the lil guys.
But when I added two more clowns (of the same size) to the group, and I added 3 platies to the quarantine tank, all of a sudden the clowns became very active. Literally overnight. It is possible that in the time span between initial purchase of the first 5 and the later 2, that the first group of clowns got used to the quarantine tank, and were relaxed enough to start swimming around with me near the tank.
After about a week in the quarantine tank, the clowns would eat freeze-dried tubifex worms from my finger tips. (After being moved to the 180, it's hard to get them to do it.)
Just thought I'd share my experiences, since the setup of my 180g is very similar to yours.
Serg
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You know, I've been thinking some more on this issue. Maybe try a light on the tank and a very dark room. It's harder for them to see you that way. Just another option I suppose, if you want to try it.
Yeah, I finally broke down and bought the clown loaches !! I think with the fish I have they might even like a tank bigger than a 180 at some point, but I'll spare my husband the shock (and money 
) at least for a couple of years!!! Usually at night when the light is on in the main tank it lights up the small tank a bit and they seem a little more brave, I'll have to see when is the best time to watch them, and give them a little more time, I just got them early Saturday.
!! I think with the fish I have they might even like a tank bigger than a 180 at some point, but I'll spare my husband the shock (and money ) at least for a couple of years!!! Usually at night when the light is on in the main tank it lights up the small tank a bit and they seem a little more brave, I'll have to see when is the best time to watch them, and give them a little more time, I just got them early Saturday.
Harlock said:
You're right Harlock
. When I had my lil q-tank setup with one light, it was in my room; and my room is always dark.Holly, here's a pic I found of my old q-tank when it had my clowns, the balas, and some platies as dither fish in it. It was taken the day after I added the two extra clowns. I think the low lighting, the live plants, the hiding space, and the high water flow (rio 90 in the background), made them acclimate faster.
HTH,
Serg