Pale Clown Loach

[happyannie]

I have 3 clown Loaches recently moved into a tank cycling with Bio-spira. The nitrites have been running a tiny bit up from normal so I've been doing water changes and watching the ammonia level faithfully. I noticed one of them has grown pale in color. It's a very young one only about 2 inches in length. I read that this can be caused by stress of other fish picking on them...and am interested in learning what else can cause this. He eats just fine but seems super on edge. He and the other little one scrap alot but the older one doesn't fight with him at all. I'm curious what others here think as I'm still learning about this breed. Thanks in advance.

 

[tttnjfttt]

please post your exact water stats (they are very helpful), your tank size, any fish in the tank, and anything else you have in your tank.

Does he seem to be loosing weight and getting very skinny?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Lack of color in many fish, esp. clown loaches, as I've seen at work, can be caused by poor water quality, and I'm sure being picked on could also be the cause.

Therefore, I would suggest that you do a water test (if you do not have the test kit, get one or go to a petco or petsmart to get it done for free) and tell us what the water stats are like.

Hopefully it's your water chemistry, since that should be easier to remedy than behavioral problems with your fish.

 

[jayjay]

yeah probably water params. also mine used to do it when fighting over a resting spot.

final note they are not a different 'breed' they are a different speices lol

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Clowns are not an ideal fish to put through a cycle. However, when you keep them in groups, they will work out a pecking order. Normally the fish that are similar sized will squabble for the superior position. When they squabble, fading is usually a sign of submission for that particular fight. Nornally the bigger ones do not fight with the clearly smaller ones. In fact, I have seen my alpha clown actaully come to the aid of the smallest one when it was being picked on by one of the medium sized ones.

 

[Jules H-T]

Clowns are not an ideal fish to put through a cycle. However, when you keep them in groups, they will work out a pecking order. Normally the fish that are similar sized will squabble for the superior position. When they squabble, fading is usually a sign of submission for that particular fight. Nornally the bigger ones do not fight with the clearly smaller ones. In fact, I have seen my alpha clown actaully come to the aid of the smallest one when it was being picked on by one of the medium sized ones.

Agreed. Nice post.

 

[happyannie]

I think the pecking order thing is what is going on in there. The biggest one is the leader and doesn't get involved in the squabbles and doesn't even seem to notice them. My timing for aquiring them was very poor I admit so they had to move out from another tank I was having problems balancing and ended up being the first to go into the new tank. The Bio-spira is doing a really good job of it and no spikes. I've changed out water when the nitrites were edging up a notch and have checked the ammonia 2x's a day most days. The others are doing well so.... The pale one eats if he stays out long enough. He's a Nervous Nellie. I've put some more plants in there and put in another hiding spot for them today. I don't have the stats right now at hand but they've been really good.
The word breed I meant as a figure of speech. Thanks to everyone for your responses. Hopefully I get those stats posted tomorrow sometime. Thanks again.