Archived message board.
Clown Loach
Badmans Tropical Fish Message Center:
General message area: Clown Loach
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Scout
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Friday,
January 11, 2002 - 02:02 pm
I would like to have a Clown Loach or two in my tank but
I was reading they needed at least 125 gallon tank. Mine
is 58 gallons. Measurements are 35 inches by 17 inches,
21 inches tall. My ph is 7.8, hard water. I have mostly
live bearers and 1 male betta. Any opinions on keeping a
Clown Loach in my tank? Is 1 okay are do I need to keep
more than 1? I also wanted to add a pair of angel fish and
some rainbow fish.
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That_Canadian_Guy
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Friday,
January 11, 2002 - 03:42 pm
You'd be fine with 3 or 4. I have 1 in a 33 gal. tank
and he is fine. You may want to lower the hardness though.
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joycedonley
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Friday,
January 11, 2002 - 07:37 pm
Kick keeps loaches in hard water with no problems. She's
in the next state over from me and we all have hard water
and high ph in Michigan and Ohio. Don't mess with the
water chem the fish are probably used to the same ph as
your LFS store. Kick has also kept angels at high ph and
so did I (7.6-7.8)for about two years until I decided
to start a Reverse osmosis tank. They are currently breeding
angels at ANGELS WEST at about 8.0 so I wouldn't worry
about them at all unless you are talking wild caught scalare
which are really a different species of angelfish entirely.
I recently did a web check on clown loaches and they only
get about six inches in aquariums also they are very slow
growers!
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jeff s
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Friday,
January 11, 2002 - 10:00 pm
scout..I hear ya..gads I love the clown loach! what a nice
fish..I think your tanks is pretty darn good..the loach
grows slow and probably might make 6" or so in your
tanks..and yeh a couple at least would be good..your ph
is ok.they will adapt..but I would stick some dritf wood
in there and make sure your substrate is soft for the diggin
they love to do. Keep your water conditions top notch and
you shouldn't have a problem..oh and kiss the fish once
in a while too!
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Kick
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Saturday,
January 12, 2002 - 11:52 am
Scout, you should be fine with keeping loaches and have
no problems if you acclimate them slowly. I have kept loaches
for years with very little problems except for one. They
do have a tendency to develop ich from the stress of moving
them when they are first purchased. Just keep an eye and
if this would develop, make sure that any medication you
use "does not" contain malachite green. This medication
is very deadly to them.
Also I would advise two things. First, you need to have
at least 2 but 3 would be better. Since these guys are mainly
bottom dwellers and grow very slowly, I think your tank
size would be ideal for them. And with the three, they do
stick close together to "play" and interact with
one another. Secondly, have a place for them to "hide".
They like open logs, terra cotta pots and anything where
they can "go inside".
One thing I might mention to you if you do decide to get
them is don't become alarmed if you look in your tank
and see one laying on its side like it is dead. This is
the way they "sleep".
On the other hand, you may want to decide which you want
more....the clowns or the angels. Sometimes, these guys
get along okay, but angels' fins (and also the bettas
for that matter) sometimes attract the "playful"
clown loaches' attention, and they can sometimes be
a little nippy. Other times, they cohabitate successfully.
About the only way you will know for sure is to try and
if it doesn't work out, return one or the other to the
fish store.
I will tell you for sure not to mess with your water chemistry.
It is very hard to change it and when you finally do, unless
you have an R/O unit, it is next to impossible to keep it
that way. Water changes and chemistry of the water changing
from rainfall levels are factors in this, and you will soon
learn to purchase fish that meet your water chemistry....not
the other way around. Good luck on your decision.
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Scout
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Saturday,
January 12, 2002 - 03:41 pm
Thanks Kick. I can't wait to get them. I probaly will
try the clowns and the angels together. My daughter really
wants angels. I was reading a comment of yours in another
section saying this is not the right time of year to find
Clown Loaches. I live in Texas and have to go to a store
in Houston. Don't know for sure that they have them.
What is the right time of year?
Have you ever bought fish over the internet?
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Kick
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Saturday,
January 12, 2002 - 08:11 pm
Usually spring or early summer is the best time to find
them that they don't cost an arm and leg. Don't
pay an exhorbitant amount for them, if you should find some
now. Since they are out of season, seeing a price of 12
to 15 dollars is not unusual, but when they are more plentiful
the price will come down to what they should cost which
is 5 to 8 dollars.
Sorry I can't help you on purchasing fish over the net.
I have a good supplier close to me, and they can usually
find anything that I am looking for. You might check back
though as there may be some folks on here who have, and
they can tell of their experience.
Good luck and have fun with the little guys whenever you
get them.
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Anonymous
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Thursday,
January 17, 2002 - 07:22 pm
Wow i feel lucky now. I bought 2 clown loaches a few months
ago, September probably, and they were 7 dollars ea. i thought
that was pretty exspensive but i really wanted the lil guys
and they looked healthy... took me forever to find a good
store that carries them.
Mine are in a 30 gal. with 5 tiger barbs and 2 oto cats...
the clowns love the tiger barbs and "school" or
play with them quite often, so i don't feel as bad for
not getting 3 clowns as this is what i originally wanted
but didn't want to crowd the tank.
I love my clowns, good luck with yours!
Kelsey
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Scout
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Saturday,
January 19, 2002 - 12:45 pm
Are tiger barbs agressive? I also want angels and maybe
rainbows.
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joycedonley
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Saturday,
January 19, 2002 - 06:53 pm
Yes they will rip up the angels fish! About the worst combo
you could suggest!
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Anonymous
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Sunday,
January 20, 2002 - 05:54 pm
MY tiger barbs have been relatively peaceful towards other
fish. BUT i haven't tempted them with angelfish or any
other type of slow fish with long fins. so far they have
been with platies loaches and ottos. i would love to have
an angelfish too but am not about to risk it as long as
i still have my barbs.
Since you already have a betta in the tank i would stay
away from the tiger barbs or move the betta. also if guppies
(and their long pretty tails) are part of your livebearer
group i would be wary of the tigers.
Good luck
Kelsey
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