Clown Loaches

[nshockeyplaya]

Hey guys i love these fish but the one thing i dont like about them is the fact that they hide so much. What do you guys think is the best way to keep them active and swimming frequently about the tank??

 

[PhunFishGuy]

As with most fish, when they are newly added to the tank, they tend to be skittish. Clown Loaches can stay that way tho, prefering to come out and feed at night.
To get them to stop hiding:
1. Take away places to hide. (Not suggested)
2. Add more clown loaches.
3. Make sure there aren't any fish picking on them, making them hide.

I'm sure there are more ways than this... but #2 always works for me.

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Yea but ive been to the LFS and seen 20 or so in one tank and they were all hiding under rocks.

 

[Eelzor]

When I first got my clown loaches they hid as well. I simply grew my fish collection to a large community of fish so the clown loaches become more confident with lots of fish around. You should also give them a bit of time to get used to their new surroundings. Whenever it's food time my clowns are nuttily dancing on the front of the tank glass. They have definately become more confident with other fish over time.

Just something else I might add. I find it that when I had my clowns before, they kept hiding in a log. I have removed the log and instead put lots of plants in the tank. Now they can hide in the plants, but I can still see them all the time.

Also, what's your tank size, other fish and scenery?

 

[LoachLover]

When they are in larger groups they come out more.

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Is 4 a good amount you think, i have fake plants in the tank but i also have bogwood.

 

[FrAnK3333]

4 is a good amount. 3 is the min. because clown loaches are very social fish. Mine never break from their tight school. They like to hide so theres really no way to keep them out. Mine do come during the day. For nice fish and would recommend it for your tank. I love mine. Problem with large schools is that they do get quite large, some 12 inches, most more around 8 inches. Have extra space like when I get my larger tank, get more then 4 and go for like 6. They are slow growers and if your addicted to the hobby like most of us are, you should have space in the future, because they are slow growers. (btw I think your tank is a 120 gallon, this is what I based my reply on)

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Yeh its a 125

 

[LoachLover]

Is 4 a good amount you think, i have fake plants in the tank but i also have bogwood.

Yeah that would be good

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Okay thanks

 

[LoachLover]

Glad we could help

 

[sushi]

Hi. I've got only 1 clown loach and it's very rearly hiding. I probably don't have many places to hide - a stack of rocks, a drift wood and a cave thing, but it doesn't go in there.
I know they hide coz my sister used to have them and you never saw them except for night. I don't have plants either coz I buy them and my big pleco just eats them within a couple of days.
So yeah, the moral of my story is maybe not having too many hiding places like the other person said. maybe I'm just lucky with my over confident clown loach - an exibitionist
Also, like the other person said, i've got a lot, probably too many fish in my tank, so maybe that's why mine is out

 

[nshockeyplaya]

yea i dunno but im gunna stick with keeping them in schools

 

[FrAnK3333]

Thye have to be in schools, or they get stressed and most likly die in the long run. Clowns are very social fish.

 

[LoachLover]

Thye have to be in schools, or they get stressed and most likly die in the long run. Clowns are very social fish.

Definately, mine always stay in their little group and swim around the tank. And you aren't getting "Stuck" with keeping them in a group, you are blessed