Clown loach question

[Jane L]

I have a question....what category of fish is a loach, or are they their own category? I have three clown loaches, two in my 25 gal tank and one in my 10-gal tank. All are really healthy and I just love 'em. I am considering getting a partner for the one in the ten gallon tank; I also have two sunset platys, two neon tetras, one tiger barb, and one clown pleco in there; would adding one crowd the tank too much? I have been feeding just flake food and algae wafers for the clown pleco (he is about 3" long); are there any other foods recommended or that they like?

 

[WILDER]

Like to be in groups, clown loaches need a 90gal tanks, your pushing it for them to be in a 10gal.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953

 

[Jane L]

Holy cow!! 90 gal??! They never told me that at the fish store....but then again I got them from an Animal Adventures store. They haven't grown a lot, any of them, in quite some time...should I bring the one up from the 10 gal into the 25 gal for now, and go from there? Gods, I've had all of them for over two years...am I being mean keeping them, or should I get them to my brother's big tank (55 gal) ASAP?!! Now I really need advice!!

 

[WILDER]

Go with your brother tank all of them if he will let you.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishprofiles.com/articles/fresh...lownloaches.asp

 

[Elisabeth83]

Clown loaches grow extreamly slow...I read in another post somwhere on here that it takes 20 years for them to reach their full size.

It probably would be best though if you could get them into something bigger like a 55 gallon

 

[Jane L]

OK...I'm not going to do anything that would hurt them. All three are 3 1/2 inches or less now. The article mentioned good color and these all have beautiful contrast of orange and black. The one that's alone will be happy to have buddies I think. I'll give them to him on the condition that he lets me know if they get too big for his, and I can give them to the guy at my aquarium store.

 

[Angry_Platy]

How about getting a 90gal tank for yourself?

 

[Jane L]

Oh Lordy, I wish.....my husband likes to watch them occasionally but really starts to pout when I have to spend anything on them for maintenance or when one of them gets sick. I am interviewing for a really good job this next week (15 bucks/hr, 8AM-4PM M-F) and keeping my hopes up that I get it...it would mean me being able to do a lot more things than we have in the past, including hopefully maybe a bigger tank...sigh...I would love it!!!

 

[Aylana]

Good luck with the job!!

 

[Jane L]

Thank you! This has been in the works now for almost threeeee mmoooonnnths and the waiting is killing me! Believe me, I will let everyone know if I get it!

 

[cheekeyarab]

So sorry you have to part with the loaches. I really think that the people selling these larger fish should point out how big they get.

Next time you see a fish you like, take a note of the name and then research it before you buy it. I know it seems a bit of a hassle but it'll spare you the misery of rehoming fish you've grown to like. This is a lesson that I too learnt the hard way.

Good luck with the job, I am jobhunting at the moment and desperate for something so I do know how you feel.