Fighting Clown Loaches

[CrystalClear16]

I have a 54L tank and three small clown loaches. I am planning to upgrade the tank as they outgrow mine, at the moment they are only about 6 months old measuring about inch and a half each and so I figured I had a few months before I needed to upgrade.

But recently two of the clown loaches have started fighting. The go a grey colour rather than black and go for the mouths. I cannot see any physical injury and when they finish they return to their normal colour. The third stays out of it.

At first I thought it was just a fight for dominance but it has been going on for about a week now.

Any thoughts? I know I should have at least 5 but I didnt want to get any more until I upgraded. Could this be the problem? Or does the fight for dominance go on for longer than a week?

 

[onebto]

Hello Crystalclear

I would not worry about it to much sounds like you got two flexing for dominance if there the same age and size then it could take a while for them to sort it out, the colour change is known as greying out and is very common.

There are some things you can do to improve the situation. You are absolutely write about the size of your tank and that they will eventually out grow the tank. Related to the size problem is the number you are keeping 3 is really not enough they are extremely social fish and need a reasonable amount of there own kind its a very subjective subject and the number of course would vary from keeper to keeper I will humbly recommend 6 minimum but please do not buy 3 more unless you are going to get a bigger tank in the near future.

Environment: These guys need lots of hiding places lots and lots of caves they use these to hide from you and all the humans as well as there other kind from time to time. BUT sometimes you will find them huddled up together, who can figure it there funny guys.

Change the lay out of the tank slightly every 2 or 3 weeks it keep them busy looking around mine love it they go nuts for it.

Make sure you vary there diet on a regular basis

Hoppe this helps

Regards onebto

 

[CrystalClear16]

Thank you for your input. I do feel bad about the number, but as you say I want to wait until I am certain I can upgrade (need the landlords permission first).

I have given them those flowerpots you get with aquatic plants to hide in, as I know they like to squeeze into small places. There are also a couple of caves made from slate, a broken vase decoration, plants and a sand substrate.

As for diet, I put in a small amount of flake food in the morning for the guppies and an algae wafer. In the evening they get a cube of frozen bloodworm. When I get to the LFS they get live bloodworm.

Anything else I should be doing? Aside from the larger tank.

 

[onebto]

Food,

well every now and then I give them a bit of cucumber if your in question of this go to utube and type clown loaches and cucumber. They go nuts for it I also give them a range of Hikari wafers from algae to crab food, sinking wafers and food sticks. Shelled peas slightly blanched. As well as the occasional thawed out and cut up prawn, muscle and Bloodworm cube

 

[roadmaster]

Food,

well every now and then I give them a bit of cucumber if your in question of this go to utube and type clown loaches and cucumber. They go nuts for it I also give them a range of Hikari wafers from algae to crab food, sinking wafers and food sticks. Shelled peas slightly blanched. As well as the occasional thawed out and cut up prawn, muscle and Bloodworm cube

Clown loaches I have kept also enjoyed vegetable matter along with foods already mentioned. Also found that they enjoy oxygen rich water with moderate current which I acheived by using aerator and powerhead. they did not like stagnant water. by stagnant,I mean water with little movement. Once current was added and airstone,,they played in the bubbles from airstone and would place themselves in the flow of water from the powerhead and leap frog each other to be in the direct flow.
Clown loaches at six months will be closer to four or five inches, Your's could be younger than six months and this will provide you with time to secure larger tank. I kept mine in 80 gallon tank from approx two inches until they reached nearly eight inches at which time I found a home for them at local fish stores display tank which was approx 125 gallons. I do miss the three loaches but am able to see them each time I visit the store.

 

[onebto]

Food,

well every now and then I give them a bit of cucumber if your in question of this go to utube and type clown loaches and cucumber. They go nuts for it I also give them a range of Hikari wafers from algae to crab food, sinking wafers and food sticks. Shelled peas slightly blanched. As well as the occasional thawed out and cut up prawn, muscle and Bloodworm cube

Clown loaches I have kept also enjoyed vegetable matter along with foods already mentioned. Also found that they enjoy oxygen rich water with moderate current which I acheived by using aerator and powerhead. they did not like stagnant water. by stagnant,I mean water with little movement. Once current was added and airstone,,they played in the bubbles from airstone and would place themselves in the flow of water from the powerhead and leap frog each other to be in the direct flow.
Clown loaches at six months will be closer to four or five inches, Your's could be younger than six months and this will provide you with time to secure larger tank. I kept mine in 80 gallon tank from approx two inches until they reached nearly eight inches at which time I found a home for them at local fish stores display tank which was approx 125 gallons. I do miss the three loaches but am able to see them each time I visit the store.

Good point roadmaster about high oxygenated water and water current. Clown Loaches are from a river/stream habitat.

I have one question you said "Clown loaches at six months will be closer to four or five inches"?

I was under the impression they take a little longer to get to 4 or 5 inches. I have 8 Clown Loaches the first 4 I have had exactly 12 months, 2 11 months and the final 2 10 months. I acquired 5 as 1 inch specimens 3 at about 2 inches. They are currently the 5@ 2,1/2 inches and 3@ 3,1/2 inches maybe knocking close to 4 inches in one case, rest assured they are kept very well so I do not think I am stunting there growth.

So I am confused by your statement where did you get that information? or is it through experience?

Regards onebto

 

[River Dog]

I have to agree with you that Clown loaches take longer to get to five inches. I have eleven in a six foot tank and my biggest one is only just 6 inches and he is fed well and I have had them for around two years.