My 46 Gallon Tank That I Thought Was Big Isn't Squat:(

[confused mermaid]

I have always wanted to get two clown loaches (they are pretty much why I got into this crazy hobby) and now find out I can't have those either. The stupid pet store was way off about their size I spent about 500$ setting that tank up and now I realize I should have waited and got at least 75 or bigger. I didn't realize there is so much you can't have without a tank under 75 to 100 gallons. Oh well... At least I can get a couple of Angelfish.

 

[AdAndrews]

I have always wanted to get two clown loaches (they are pretty much why I got into this crazy hobby) and now find out I can't have those either. The stupid pet store was way off about their size I spent about 500$ setting that tank up and now I realize I should have waited and got at least 75 or bigger. I didn't realize there is so much you can't have without a tank under 75 to 100 gallons. Oh well... At least I can get a couple of Angelfish.

are you just thinking out loud? what do you want us to do? suggest some suitable species? how big is your tank?

 

[shelaghfishface]

whatrs the size of your tank? clown loaches are extremley slow growing, so you would have plenty of time to upgrade - dependent on size of present tank, you may be able to have some

and its not a good idea to buy fish with intentions of upgrading someday BUT if you are definatly in the market for doing so,and yout tank isnt completly unsuitable then i see no reason why not

 

[Geoff1991]

whatrs the size of your tank? clown loaches are extremley slow growing, so you would have plenty of time to upgrade - dependent on size of present tank, you may be able to have some

and its not a good idea to buy fish with intentions of upgrading someday BUT if you are definatly in the market for doing so,and yout tank isnt completly unsuitable then i see no reason why not

Financial troubles could prevent them from buying a tank in the future leaving him with fish in a tank thats too small...
???

 

[Infidel_Uk]

hey guy , my tanks not huge either , but it does me fine, or at least it will, ive decided to go for a couple / or more f8 puffers , and ill just feel my way from there , its all a learning curve and as its your 1st tank ? just get stuck in and learn all you can , so that when you go bigger , you wont be so *new* to the fish keeping scene ?

just my 2 cents

 

[always4lora]

I have always wanted to get two clown loaches (they are pretty much why I got into this crazy hobby) and now find out I can't have those either. The stupid pet store was way off about their size I spent about 500$ setting that tank up and now I realize I should have waited and got at least 75 or bigger. I didn't realize there is so much you can't have without a tank under 75 to 100 gallons. Oh well... At least I can get a couple of Angelfish.

I would of thought theyd want to sell you the bigger one as itd cost more.

TBH clown laoches prefer to be in groups so you would need more than 2 anyways. As they groww fairly big and very active the 100g might have been pushing it i guess.

Have a look at oddball species if its something different you are after.

 

[shelaghfishface]

whatrs the size of your tank? clown loaches are extremley slow growing, so you would have plenty of time to upgrade - dependent on size of present tank, you may be able to have some

and its not a good idea to buy fish with intentions of upgrading someday BUT if you are definatly in the market for doing so,and yout tank isnt completly unsuitable then i see no reason why not

Financial troubles could prevent them from buying a tank in the future leaving him with fish in a tank thats too small...
???

thats what craigslist is for

 

[bagu]

hehe yea!

dont get too down mate =( chin up!

like shelagh said! look out for second hand tanks!

you could always go for an alternative?

 

[confused mermaid]

Thank you everybody...I was just venting I guess. It's frusterating for me because I'm new to this but also mildly obsessed with it already and it just seems that every fish that I get excited about aquiring there is a reason why it won't do well. I do plan on getting a bigger tank probably within two years (as I plan on aquiring all the stuff gradually) I have seen posts on several forums of people that had two or three clown loaches and they seemed to be happy as sometimes happiness depends on the temprament of the fish. However I care about doing things right also because I don't want to kill fish during the learning process. So yes, I already have a post discussing species, but anyone that wants to make suggestions here too would be great! And when you say clown loaches are slow growing, how slow are you talking?

Thanks Again

PS, my tank is 46 gallons

 

[shelaghfishface]

read this while you wait for more replies, but we are talking years rather than months
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach

 

[arobinson1984]

Clown loaches tend to grown at a steady pace upto abround 6-8" then their growth slows down.

You MAY be ok with them in the 46 if you are planning on upgrading, problem is if for any reason you cant upgrade within 2 years at the latest then you'd be stuck with them in an unsuitable tank

Have a quick search on google, there are many sites with good info for them regarding grownth. I think I posted one in another thread of yours, think its www.loaches.com

Andy

 

[confused mermaid]

I kinda give up. Almost every fish that I research there is a reason why it wont or might not fare well with what I have in the tank and the other fishes I have. I think I'm going to decide between a couple of clown loaches or some angel fish. I have read many posts where bettas and angels have gotten along and I have read many posts where the angels eat other fish. I have read that clownloaches need at least five to be happy, and I have read where people have had two of them for years in a community tank and they seem to thrive, grow and be happy. I think what I'm going to do first is let my tank finish cycling and then try to find a store that is more strictly geared towards this and see what they have to say. thanks everyone

 

[indigoj]

How about looking at zebra loach, yo yo loach or some of the other mid-sized loaches? Then you could have 5 or 6 of them and Angels.

 

[Davo86]

Two words

Botia Kubotai

 

[confused mermaid]

How about looking at zebra loach, yo yo loach or some of the other mid-sized loaches? Then you could have 5 or 6 of them and Angels.

Other than buying online and shipping them...(I wouldn't want to do that to any fish) I don't know where to find those. Your Petsmarts and Petcos here have your run of the mill stuff "tetras, clown loaches, plecos, barbs. A variety of fish but usually rarely more that one or at the very most two different kinds of that breed. Most of the specialized stores within close proximity to me have closed down because of the economy. I'm still looking for a store, but I have read store reviews online and they say even in the specialized stores sometimes there are nothing but kids working there that don't know what they're talking about. I guess if I find something I like in the mid-sized department I will just have to wing it. Do any of you buy fish online?

Two words

Botia Kubotai

translation ?