Can I Add Different Size Clown Loaches ?

gulliver63 · Jun 30, 2009

Hi,
I have recently (a couple of months ago) upgraded to a Juwel Lido 120. The tank (and water!) is in excellent condition and the tank is running beautifully. In it I have 3 Black Widow Tetras and 2 Clown Loaches. Im really fond of the clown loaches - I have had these two for 8 years now, and they have been the only two clown loaches in the tank for the past couple of years. (I like the tetras too!)

Now that I have a bigger tank, I would love to get more fish - but I dont want to upset a system that is running so well! Can I add more Clown loaches, even though they would be much smaller (1 1/2 inches), than the 2 I already have? The 2 I have are about 4 inches? Would another kind of fish be even better? Even though I have had an aquarium for years I dont really know a lot about different species! I am aware that my loaches will grow - but I am already planning the next upgrade to a larger tank next year, so am not too worried about that!

shelaghfishface · Jun 30, 2009

yove had them for 8 yrs and they are only 4 inches? wow are they that slow growing,

NaughtyT · Jun 30, 2009

I have 3x2 inch,1x3inch,1x4inch and 4x6inch loaches and they get along fine

Davo86 · Jun 30, 2009

shelaghfishface said:
yove had them for 8 yrs and they are only 4 inches? wow are they that slow growing,

The tank size hasn't helped, my original two have grown 4 inches in around 18 months,

Other clown loach or other similar temperament botia species like b.kubotai, b.lohachata, b.striata would be fine to add at any size,

gulliver63 · Jul 1, 2009

Thanks for the info! It seems my new tank may be a little small anyway for my loaches?! Looks like I may need to upgrade them to a larger aquarium, sooner than I thought! Any ideas on minimum size?

Davo86 · Jul 1, 2009

gulliver63 said:
Thanks for the info! It seems my new tank may be a little small anyway for my loaches?! Looks like I may need to upgrade them to a larger aquarium, sooner than I thought! Any ideas on minimum size?

75G minimum, ideally 100G or bigger,
basicly a wide 4foot tank or more realistically a 5 footer