My Ich Delema..now New Tank And Filter Questions

Chug · Oct 5, 2011

OK, so i have been waiting and waiting for one of my LFS to get in a batch of Clown Loach's. Today I visit the store and they have a whole tank full. My excitement builds as I am finally going to get a loach or 2 and then...... I look in the tank to pick out my new tank-mates ........to find the whole tank is infected with ICH.....so now my issue, should I allow the store to medicate the tank, and then get them, or would it be best to wait for another order to come in all together. Thanks for your help.

fidjet2 · Oct 5, 2011

i would probablt wait for another order...but thats me

Dieses Madchen · Oct 5, 2011

Wait for another order, and if possible, get six. They prefer groups of 6 or more.

BigbruiserAl · Oct 6, 2011

How big is your tank?

Tizer · Oct 6, 2011

You have a fluval edge dont you? Clown loaches grow huge!

Chug · Oct 6, 2011

ya i have also have a 35gal bow front that will be for the loachs. its been cycled already to answer the next question. lol

Tizer · Oct 6, 2011

Still not suitable for them really, 5 foot minimum with 6+ foot being ideal. They tend to shoot up the 4 inches in size very very quickly, then grow roughly an inch a year to about 1 foot in length and can live 12+ years. Also you should really keep 6 or more, as they are sociable fish and enjoy the company of their own kind, otherwise they will hide a lot of the time and you wont really see them much.

Dieses Madchen · Oct 6, 2011

Tizer said:
Still not suitable for them really, 5 foot minimum with 6+ foot being ideal. They tend to shoot up the 4 inches in size very very quickly, then grow roughly an inch a year to about 1 foot in length and can live 12+ years. Also you should really keep 6 or more, as they are sociable fish and enjoy the company of their own kind, otherwise they will hide a lot of the time and you wont really see them much.

+1 I bought one before researching them. I have since rehomed him to a large tank with other loaches.

Chug · Oct 6, 2011

Would it be ok to keep them in the 35gl tank until they get bigger then rehome them into a bigger tank. would give me a good excuse to get a nice big tank. I really love the playful lifestyle of this fish and their social behaviors.

Dieses Madchen · Oct 6, 2011

Chug said:
Would it be ok to keep them in the 35gl tank until they get bigger then rehome them into a bigger tank. would give me a good excuse to get a nice big tank. I really love the playful lifestyle of this fish and their social behaviors.

I can't say for sure on that as in a big shoal that they need, the tank could stunt them before you move them. Someone correct me if I am wrong. But I believe they will flourish better if they are place in a tank that meets their standards, rather than allowing them time to "outgrow" the tank.

Tizer · Oct 7, 2011

Its a tough one really Chug, knowing when you need to move a fish on to a larger habitat isnt always easy. Peoples opinions differ greatly as does the amount of common sense everyone is gifted with, which is partly the reason why we say that a fish, thats going to grow big, should really be put into a suitable aquarium on day one. At the end of the day, the choice is yours to make, just remember, the playful behaviour of this fish can only be fully appreciated when kept in large numbers and a suitable sized tank.

Chug · Oct 10, 2011

OK so i am coming back for some more help as i have just today acquired a 38 gallon tank.....36 long x 12 1'2 wide x 18 tall.... First question is would this tank be suitable for the clown loach's i want so very much?
And totally unrelated, this tank came with everything but a filter, what filter would you suggest for this size tank.
I have a heater, bubble maker, light. Not sure what substrate or gravel i want. This will be a planted tank.

Thanks for all your help and please feel free to move this post if required as it is no longer an ICH post.

Thanks all!!!

BigbruiserAl · Oct 10, 2011

Tizer said:
Still not suitable for them really, 5 foot minimum with 6+ foot being ideal. They tend to shoot up the 4 inches in size very very quickly, then grow roughly an inch a year to about 1 foot in length and can live 12+ years. Also you should really keep 6 or more, as they are sociable fish and enjoy the company of their own kind, otherwise they will hide a lot of the time and you wont really see them much.

Chug said:
OK so i am coming back for some more help as i have just today acquired a 38 gallon tank.....36 long x 12 1'2 wide x 18 tall.... First question is would this tank be suitable for the clown loach's i want so very much?
And totally unrelated, this tank came with everything but a filter, what filter would you suggest for this size tank.
I have a heater, bubble maker, light. Not sure what substrate or gravel i want. This will be a planted tank.

Thanks for all your help and please feel free to move this post if required as it is no longer an ICH post.

Thanks all!!!

Tizer already answered you question

dfield · Oct 10, 2011

I had one just die with ICH, really all the other fish cleared up so quickly with the meds, this fish was a nightmare.. I wouldnt recommend getting one that already has it.

I have a larger one that had a few spots on its tail and I treated the tank with salt and as of today it is clear, still I'd like to see it clear for a couple of weeks before declaring it conquered.

I am no fish expert, but my experience with Clown Loaches and ICH is, it is very difficult to get rid of once they have it. If you don't have to fight that battle, I'd say wait.

Also the posters are right about the hiding.. when I had the two they permanently hid.. I never saw them.. though now I have the one left and he's obviously feeling a bit better, he is a really interesting fish. I love the way they move as well!