Is It Ok To Add Very Young Clown Loaches To 3 Year Olds?

[k2snowboards88]

I have 3 clown loaches that are under 4" long in a 75 gallon tank. I want to add two more to make them feel more comfortable but all I can ever find are babies that are an inch long at most. How would they do with the older loaches and would they do anything to make the older loaches less skittish?

 

[loachman]

generally fine.

 

[flash22]

Clowns are usually very sociable there are a lot juvi clowns around my lfs get nice ones in around 2-3" direct from the breeder. maidenhead aquatics usually have xl clowns at around 4" or so iirc there £25-30 each theres some in the ad's on here too

Also seen the bigger ones in pets at home but the stropy staff and lack of care for the stock puts me off going in there now (well over priced too)

 

[boeingtech]

hi i added 3 small clown loaches to my older clown loache and they have been fine they didn't really spend much time together at first but know they are getting bigger they seem to spend more time toghether. clown loaches are one of my favourite fish enjoy them

 

[mikev]

Generally ok, BUT: Try to find 2" if you can.

Firstly, they are hardier; lots of 1" clowns would not make it. Secondly, you must feed small clowns more intensively than the adults, at least twice a day, with frozen food -- this is easier to do in a 10g. So you would have to keep them in a 10g qtank for a few months till they are nice, and fat, and a bit grown,...you may as well skip this part and get 2" fish.

Quarantine them still, of course.

 

[Lestat999]

This is not a problem, however, make sure you keep them in a QT for at least two weeks and treat them for worms, bacteria etc.. You will also need to fattern them up a bit before putting them in with the larger guys.

I have 1" clowns in with my 7" to 9" guys and they get along fine.