Funny Clown Loach, Return?

[mrp3]

So my clown loach was playing dead today. It was pretty funny to watch. At one point he even flipped upside down then swam to the other side of my tank upside down! Lol . Then we have the down side. My tank is to small to host a clown loach (29 gallon) I love him so much but should I return him in his best nature? I plan on buying a few when I get a 75 gallon tank but I don't think I'll get it for 6 months. Some of the other possibilities I've looked at were yo-yo loaches and kuhli loaches. Would these be
compatible in my tank? ( look at my signature for stocking)
if so how many of either should I get and how big do they grow? Also right now he's a juvy at about 2 inches.

 

[mrp3]

I think I'd prefer a yo-yo loach to a kuhli loach just because the yo-yo isn't like long and skinny but rather shorter I guess. The kuhli is still on my list though if they're compatible in my tank.

 

[mrp3]

I've reconsidered just kinda ignore my last commentbecausr my LFS has a really cute kuhli it's black with orange stripes so I'll get him If I can get a kuhli

 

[mrp3]

I also wanted to know if there's any other fish that anyone would suggest.

 

[fluttermoth]

All loaches are very social fish, so you should have at least three, and perferably six or eight, or they won't be happy. You could have five or six in your 29g. Any chance you could re-home the plec as well?

 

[mrp3]

Well I could you see if I got the 75 gal I wanted but I don't think I'll get if for 6 months. I was told that both my plecs were bns but I don't think either are. I think the one is a yellow bn and I think the other is a common. What type of loach should I get after I return the clown? I'll definately be buying some clowns for the 75 gal but he doesn't seem over excited about being in the 29.

 

[mrp3]

I'm gonna call my LFS and see if they could order some kuhlis or some yo-yos first I'll ask If they can then when I decide which to get I'll ask if they can order them. I was thinking of getting either 3 kuhlis or 2 yo-yos. My pineapple swordtail died yesterday at 4 inches. I was so but thatll make room for an extra loach.

 

[mrp3]

Well one of my LFS has a bunch of khulis and the other prolly has both but I'll call tomorrow they were closed tonight

 

[micko]

The yo-yo loach is a good addition to any tank I think. I wouldn't keep a group of less than 6 because as fluttermoth said, they're a social fish.
They're great to watch and will interact very well with you.

I think there has to be a definite commitment to keeping them though as they can live 20+ years.

I have 7. I've seen a lot of them about this past wee while, all of mine are fat, they love an odd pest snail too.

 

[mrp3]

Lol I'm kinda leaning more towards a khuli even though I think the yo-yo looks cooler the nearest place that sells em is possibly 30 minutes away not even sure if they've got em. The nearest place for khulis is 15 minutes sway they've only got black khulis though. I really like how the yo-yos look though.

 

[micko]

Don't know anything about them myself as I've never kept them. They do look good though. As far as I'm aware, and this will need clarification from a person more experienced with them, I believe they require sand substrate.

Are they noctural?

 

[mrp3]

They don't require sand they require either sand or a rather smooth gravel they are semi- nocturnal. They like to burrow. Do yo-yos burrow at all are they nocturnal what do you feed yours?

 

[micko]

Yo-yo's (I call them Pakistani loach) eat pretty much anything. Pellets, algae wafers, peas, cucumber, flake, snails.
I've yet to see them refuse any food.
Pakistani loach will hide if they're on their own or not in a large enough group. When in a group they're very active.
Often play dead though. Lay on their sides.

 

[mrp3]

I read they really fancy blood worms and brine shrimp

 

[mrp3]

Now I'm getting kinda concerned. Hrs been plating dead for 2 days strait not really swimming around like his happy little self.