Loaches

[Matty P]

Is there like a smaller replacment for the clown loach cos i want something similar but my tank is only 63L (17g)?

 

[stang1]

Are you looking for a fish with similar markings or one to clean up snails?
I can't think of anything that resembles a Clown but any of the Botia family will be fine to eat unwanted snails.

 

[Matty P]

To clean up snails, so something from the botia family would fine then.

Cheers stang

 

[stang1]

They'd be fine Matty. We had some Botia Rostrata for our tank and they were great. As far as I know, all the Botia species will eat snails.
Have a look at this link to get a better idea of what type to go for:
Loaches

 

[Matty P]

Thanks a lot stang

 

[stang1]

No problem and keep us updated with what you get!

 

[syntax_error]

Hey that's great! Thanks for the link stang

 

[loachman]

Yeah, there are plenty of smaller species of loach. Clown loaches are significantly larger than any of the other common species.

Good ones to look at are:
botia kubotai
yoyo loaches/botia almorhae
zebra loaches/ botia striata
botia histronica (harder to find)
botia rostrata (harder to find)
Y. Sidthimunki
Y. nigrolineata (harder to find)

None of them really get more than about 4-5 inches. They all have a similar body shape to Clowns and are relatively peaceful.

 

[Matty P]

Hey thanks loachman

 

[eschaton]

Y. Sidmunki would be your best bet. It's the smallest Botia. Only grows to around 2 inches. A small shoal of them (6 or so) will be fine in a tank of that size.

 

[Matty P]

Is it best to have them in a shoal of 6+ or could i just have a couple?