Clown Loachs In A Planted Tank

[Canada_Andy]

Hey,
Quick question, I will soon be able to start stocking (woot!) my new 55g planted tank, one of the fish that I would like to get would be a small troup of clown loaches. I have reserched them, but I have not found much about them in a planted tank. Will they nibble at all or cause any trouble with the plants?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Castellop123]

...

 

[nicklfire]

Loaches thrive in groups of 3 or more, i wouldnt recommend putting them in a tank under 75gallons. They grow pretty quick to about 5.5 inches and then slow down a bit after that. There max size was around 14 inches (around a foot long) . They can live for a very very long time and unless you want to have him for the longer term in a bigger tank i wouldnt buy em. I dont have one for that reason but if i had a larger tank i'd definately get one.

 

[Canada_Andy]

Thanks for the input guys, looks like I will probably go for something a bit smaller for the bottom of my tank

 

[suzanne]

My clown loach has made nice holes in my riccia carpet

 

[cheesy feet]

They will be fine in planted tanks... Do you think 55g is big enough ( in the long term ) They can be quite active, but they won't damage or eat the plants...

Clown loaches put loads of holes in plants so it's a big nono.

 

[thefirethief]

A group of Yo Yo Loaches (Botia Almorhae) could be nice. They stay small, look nice and are very active. Ive got 3 of them in my planted 36G, they dont touch the plants and the interaction between the three of them is fascinating.

 

[Themuleous]

My clowns dont touch my plants, they knock them out when the dash about the tank but other than that they leave them alone.

A bigger tank is necessary for them long term, but Ive had mine in a 20g high for around 3 years and they are only just outgrowing it now. I also thought clowns only really got to 8" in aquariums 14" is the wild type.

I guess either way, if you dont think you'll be able to get a bigger tank in a few years, probably not right for you. I'm just using them as excuse to get a bigger tank!

Sam

EDIT - they also tend to be quite timid, other loach species can be far more active and 'viewable'.

 

[dave_m13]

I have 3 Clowns for 2 and half years and they do not eat the plants at all. They do dash about and sometimes dig into where the roots are but are not doing any damage. I have a large tank but in the 2 and half years have grown very slowly and are still only 3-4"

I had them in a 55G initially for a year before upgrading, even then they looked small for the tank.

 

[2pods]

I have 10 Clowns ranging from 2" to 5" and the only time they excavate plants is when they are being clumsy.

Peter

 

[Canada_Andy]

Alright,
I am going to go to my LFS pretty soon and have a look to see what other kind of loachs/bottom dwellers I could pick up that would fit my tank.

 

[smithrc]

Clowns dont grow quickly at all... ours have taken 3 years to get to 5"...

They are great charecters and will be fine in a 55 for a good few years. By then You'll be attached and will find a way to get a bigger tank
We have 10 and they never touch our plants.

 

[Canada_Andy]

True,
I am only 16 now, and I will most likely have to take the tank down before they outgrow it.....Decisions, Decisions

 

[Castellop123]

I don't you go for a group of Corydoras? They're thrive in planted tanks ( as do most fish ) and stay small... Corydoras sterbai are a good, colourful choice... Full of character...

 

[Canada_Andy]

Hmm..Ya thats something to think about. Those Corys do look nice, though I do prefer the Clown Loachs' Yellow and Black stripes
How many of those would make a good shoal?