Clown Loach Laying On Side

[iroc]

One of my three clown loaches is feeding fine, but then after eating it will go under the driftwood and then kind of lay on it's side. the other loaches will hang around the enterence to the cave. At 1st I thought maybe it was a female and they were watching out while she layed eggs or something, but now I am reading about clown loaches sometimes have sezures.

the fish is breathing very fast, mush faster then the other two loaches???


is this a death dance?

 

[crazie.eddie]

No. Loaches sometimes sleep on their sides.

 

[Rhiannon]

My cousin said his always lay on their sides and on each other.

If you are really worried, keep an eye on him, it could be that he is just resting or seriously ill. Only time will tell.

Fingers crossed he is just having a little snooze.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Loaches DO lay on their sides at times. They are known for this. People get scared thinking the loach is dead when it's on it's side.

Unless the loach was full adult size of about 12" or so, then it is big enough to lay eggs.

 

[QuotheRaven]

It is entirely natural for clown loaches to lay on their side while sleeping or resting, Yoyo loaches, clown loaches and other similiar loaches and Botia's have this very concerning habit, when I had yoyo's I would walk past the tank to find a yoyo on it's side I would panic but then see it dart away as I walked near the tank.

 

[iroc]

yea It really concerned me becuase it was the 1st time since I got them ( about 3 months ago) that I have seen this. But it seems to be active this morning so I guess time will tell.

 

[tophat665]

yea It really concerned me becuase it was the 1st time since I got them ( about 3 months ago) that I have seen this. But it seems to be active this morning so I guess time will tell.

My yoyos lie on their sides or backs and grey out a bit every so often. Used to bug the stuffing out of me, but I'd tap the tank, they'd dart under a rock, and be out and frolicking at feeding time. No worries.

 

[john starkey]

One of my three clown loaches is feeding fine, but then after eating it will go under the driftwood and then kind of lay on it's side. the other loaches will hang around the enterence to the cave. At 1st I thought maybe it was a female and they were watching out while she layed eggs or something, but now I am reading about clown loaches sometimes have sezures.

the fish is breathing very fast, mush faster then the other two loaches???


is this a death dance?

 

[john starkey]

HI IVE ONLY JUST RETURNED TO THE HOBBY AFTER A TEN YEAR ABSCENCE , I USED TO HAVE FOUR CLOWN LOACHES IN MY PREVIOUS SETUP WHICH ALL AT SOME TIME WOULD LAY ON THERE SIDE DURING THE DAY APPARENTLY AND ACCORDING TO SOME BOOKS THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR, I HOPE THIS PUTS YOUR MIND AT REST

 

[connorsbala]

One of mine was doing this and died,i thik something was wrong with his swinm bladder...? He was unique cause he had to stripes on his tail,instead of just having the common orange/red tail lol

 

[millym]

a sick loach could also lie on its sides but it is normal loach behaviour as said..our yoyos are always loafing around on their sides and sometimes even completely upside down, doesnt look comfy to me!!!!!!


old pic of one of ours lounging around

 

[thegnu]

i had a clown loach that would lay totally on its dorsal fin. he was a right funny fish, i think he was a bit loopy. he was one of five but he was by far the maddest.

 

[BotiaMaximus]

It is entirely normal for Clowns to sleep on their sides, upside down, piled up on top of each other, straight up or down. They aren't right in the head which is what makes them so interesting. The only thing that you could say is a definite NOT NORMAL For a Clown is to float or wrap itself around the intake strainer! Make them prove they are dead before reaching for a net.

That being said, they are somewhat sensitive and require good water conditions, very stable temperature (81-f is my choice to help keep parasites away). Good filtration, lots of circulation and controlled amounts of quality food. Bloodworms or Brine Shrimp through a cone-feeder is an excellent way to feed. Clowns are PIGS let them stay a little hungry. The net has led me to photos of some seriously obese clowns! This isn't good for them, the water conditions or your wallet if your buying premium foods. My typical schedule would be: 1 time per day 4 days a week - 2 times per day 2 days a week - 0 times per day 1 day per week.

SALT - .25 to .5 the recommended amount of freshwater salt in the tank - some will say NO SALT - every fish needs some salt - even loaches and plecos. I have a 75 gallon that has all "scaleless" salt hating fish in it. The salt I use (API Freshwater) calls for 15 tablespoons for my tank, I have 5 tablespoons in there. Everyone is happy, looks great and should remain free of parasites with that salt and temperature combination.

Happy Loaching!