Clown Loach Question

[stang1]

Unfortunately, no. The main reason being the temperature, they are a tropical fish and won't do well in a coldwater tank. You may also have the same problem with aggression towards your goldfish.

 

[carolg]

Unfortunately, no. The main reason being the temperature, they are a tropical fish and won't do well in a coldwater tank. You may also have the same problem with aggression towards your goldfish.

ok thanks

would not be able to get to pet shop till tuesday now, hope he will be ok till then.

do you suggest getting anothe 2 clown loaches to keep him company. after i have got rid of the other loach

 

[stang1]

Just keep a close eye on him for now and hopefully he should be ok until Tuesday.
Clown Loaches need a tank size of about 90G+ as they can grow up to 12". They will take a long time to grow that size so you should be fine with the tank you've got for now. I would definitely add at least another two, as it may help your other one from being so shy.
Good luck!

 

[carolg]

Just keep a close eye on him for now and hopefully he should be ok until Tuesday.
Clown Loaches need a tank size of about 90G+ as they can grow up to 12". They will take a long time to grow that size so you should be fine with the tank you've got for now. I would definitely add at least another two, as it may help your other one from being so shy.
Good luck!

what size tank is a 90g

 

[stang1]

90G would be a 5ft tank+.

 

[carolg]

90G would be a 5ft tank+.

ok thank you

 

[stang1]

No problem.

 

[Amiee]

I believe you need to get some company for your Clown Loach, his not coming out often enough is probably due to the amount of stress because of a lack of other Clown loaches, recommended keeping them in more than a group of 5 and these fish can grow over 9" in the home aquaria. I Suggest getting more tank mates (if your tank is big enough, or if you will be purchasing a bigger tank in the future) and subdued lighting, lower wattage bulbs, as they like it dimmer. Stocking up with plants can provide good shady areas as well as look good. Also if you get more clowns make sure you give them a big enough hiding place so the whole group can laze about in. 20 per cent water changes and clean tank enviroment make a perfect home to clown loaches. Remember to keep an eye on them for the dreaded white spot, keep meds handy.


Good Luck!

 

[carolg]

I believe you need to get some company for your Clown Loach, his not coming out often enough is probably due to the amount of stress because of a lack of other Clown loaches, recommended keeping them in more than a group of 5 and these fish can grow over 9" in the home aquaria. I Suggest getting more tank mates (if your tank is big enough, or if you will be purchasing a bigger tank in the future) and subdued lighting, lower wattage bulbs, as they like it dimmer. Stocking up with plants can provide good shady areas as well as look good. Also if you get more clowns make sure you give them a big enough hiding place so the whole group can laze about in. 20 per cent water changes and clean tank enviroment make a perfect home to clown loaches. Remember to keep an eye on them for the dreaded white spot, keep meds handy. Good Luck!

I have removed the sucking loach from the tank, he is lying next to the thermometer now, he colour is faded, he doesnt look well at all.what kind of medicine should i give him.

I believe you need to get some company for your Clown Loach, his not coming out often enough is probably due to the amount of stress because of a lack of other Clown loaches, recommended keeping them in more than a group of 5 and these fish can grow over 9" in the home aquaria. I Suggest getting more tank mates (if your tank is big enough, or if you will be purchasing a bigger tank in the future) and subdued lighting, lower wattage bulbs, as they like it dimmer. Stocking up with plants can provide good shady areas as well as look good. Also if you get more clowns make sure you give them a big enough hiding place so the whole group can laze about in. 20 per cent water changes and clean tank enviroment make a perfect home to clown loaches. Remember to keep an eye on them for the dreaded white spot, keep meds handy. Good Luck!

I have removed the sucking loach from the tank, he is lying next to the thermometer now, he colour is faded, he doesnt look well at all.what kind of medicine should i give him.

If i cant find another clown loach in my pet shop what other kind of fish would be suitable.

 

[Jabba]

I'll pretty much confirm all that has been said so far, this is definately stress, now the Loach has no company at all, he will fade and not be happy at all - where did the Chinese Algae Eater go?

As has been said before Clown Loaches are really sociable, they love one anothers company - I have 6 of them, I also have a Chinese Algae Eater and they keep him in check - despite the placid outer appearence Clown Loaches are well able to defend themselves when they are fit and healthy and are more than capable of dealing with a Chinese Algae Eaters aggression (although mine has none but maybe that is the Loaches presence), my Algae Eater shares the same cave with the Loaches so it can't be that bad.

You have catch 22 here though - a 3 foot tank simply isn't big enough to keep enough fully grown Clown Loaches to be healthy, they like to play and need swimming room to do this, I know of no other fish that they will be happy with. I'd go all out to find at least another couple of Clown Loaches and then plan a tank upgrade as your next project. Clown Loaches are not very tolerant of poor water conditions and believe it or not it is easier to maintain good stable conditions in a larger tank. To keep Loaches you really need to know how to test your own water and get a liquid test kit to do it, the amounts of various chemicals int he water can have a large impact on fish health and also contribute to stress. You need a liquid test kit such as the Nutrafin or API Master Water Test Kit (the API is likely cheaper but not as 'complete' - no gH or kH tests). Don't bother with test sticks they are hopelessly inaccurate and even useless if not stored properly or for too long.

Where are you located? UK or USA?

 

[carolg]

I'll pretty much confirm all that has been said so far, this is definately stress, now the Loach has no company at all, he will fade and not be happy at all - where did the Chinese Algae Eater go?

As has been said before Clown Loaches are really sociable, they love one anothers company - I have 6 of them, I also have a Chinese Algae Eater and they keep him in check - despite the placid outer appearence Clown Loaches are well able to defend themselves when they are fit and healthy and are more than capable of dealing with a Chinese Algae Eaters aggression (although mine has none but maybe that is the Loaches presence), my Algae Eater shares the same cave with the Loaches so it can't be that bad.

You have catch 22 here though - a 3 foot tank simply isn't big enough to keep enough fully grown Clown Loaches to be healthy, they like to play and need swimming room to do this, I know of no other fish that they will be happy with. I'd go all out to find at least another couple of Clown Loaches and then plan a tank upgrade as your next project. Clown Loaches are not very tolerant of poor water conditions and believe it or not it is easier to maintain good stable conditions in a larger tank. To keep Loaches you really need to know how to test your own water and get a liquid test kit to do it, the amounts of various chemicals int he water can have a large impact on fish health and also contribute to stress. You need a liquid test kit such as the Nutrafin or API Master Water Test Kit (the API is likely cheaper but not as 'complete' - no gH or kH tests). Don't bother with test sticks they are hopelessly inaccurate and even useless if not stored properly or for too long.

Where are you located? UK or USA?

i am in theuk.
I have found a website with fish medicine for sale.
Just wondering if any of it will be suitable for my loach.
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/seaquariums/pro...htm#medications

 

[mister-t]

if your fish has no signs of disease,except for being thin and a lighter clour,then as stated by others he needs tank mates,all my clown loaches swim around together,and one in particular swims around all the time with my bala shark,plenty of caves are a must for them to hide in,as for colour all mine are different shades of orange and black,so wouldnt worry too much about that,but your fish should have a large body which is a sign of health,and one last point,be carefull with meds,clowns are scale-less,you carn burn them if to enthusiastic with any meds you give them,always half the dose as to what the med bottle says

 

[Jabba]

Myxazin would be OK as a just in case as it will deal with fungus / bacteria. Start with half the recommended dose and monitor the effect on the clown, then if the clown seems OK give the second half of the dose 12 hours later and monitor the loach again.

It is hard to offer a really sound treatment without seeing the fish, I still think this fish is depressed/lonely and therefore stressed.

If you are near the Wirral there is a chap who has many smaller ones at the moment but he won't post you will need to collect.

There is also a company advertising clown Loaches on E-Bay who will post.

 

[carolg]

Myxazin would be OK as a just in case as it will deal with fungus / bacteria. Start with half the recommended dose and monitor the effect on the clown, then if the clown seems OK give the second half of the dose 12 hours later and monitor the loach again.

It is hard to offer a really sound treatment without seeing the fish, I still think this fish is depressed/lonely and therefore stressed.

If you are near the Wirral there is a chap who has many smaller ones at the moment but he won't post you will need to collect.

There is also a company advertising clown Loaches on E-Bay who will post.

ok thanks

i hve bought some catfish sinking pelets for him to eat as i was feeding him flake food and was told that it wasnt the right food to feed him
hw does not seem to be eating
how can i get him to eat something

 

[Jabba]

I feed mine at night, they are pretty much a nocturnal species and are out mornings and evenings but hide mostly if the lights are on.

So I'd advise turning out the lights and leaving the room, he will probably nibble something if not to far gone, it sounds like he has a problem with his mouth though a picture would sure help.

And I am afraid that flake food isn't ideal so you got good advice, it is odd though occasionally mine will come out and start taking flake as it sinks but they prefer catfish pellets, they love snails but I can't keep the snail population high enough to satisfy them, any food I put in there at night is never there in the morning but I rarely see them eat, I've had them a year and they are fat so they are doing OK.