Clown Loaches

[silver$$$]

Hi Guys,

I've got 4 Clown Loaches. 1 of them has very bright striking black & orange color, 1 is so so, and 2 are like fading... (they are all healthy & active though)

I'm sure they all looked the same when I bought them. Do they normally change their color? What might cause the changes? Is there any way we can enhance their color? I like them all to be bright & striking...

Please give me your opinion !

Cheers

 

[Teelie]

Lighter colors are signs of stress or disease. A healthy Clown will have dark but vibrant coloration.

 

[silver$$$]

Thanks for your reply. What kind of didease? What's the treatment?Cheers...

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Well first of all i dont think clowns really belong in a 20 gallon tank or wut ever 80liters is somewhere around there.

 

[fufanu360]

Well first of all i dont think clowns really belong in a 20 gallon tank or wut ever 80liters is somewhere around there.

i tink dat may have somtin to do with it, how big are they?

 

[Gix]

Yeah. I wouldn't reccomend even the very smallest of clowns be kept in 20 gallons, if that's the situation they're in now.

I'd guess stress more than anything, although some color difference is very normal in a group of clowns. The more dominanat ones' black stripes will be liighter in color than those of the smaller, less dominant loaches. My guess is that this need for an established hierarchy is greatly increased by the close quarters you're keeping these little fellows in. i reccomend returning them and getting clowns when you have at least a 55 gallon (for young clowns) to 60 gallon or up (for full-growns) tank.

 

[sylvia]

Why not get some khulie loaches instead? The colors are quite similar. Clowns get to 12" so they wouldn't be able to even turn around in your current tank.