The question

[FrAnK3333]

I have the 3 clown laoches, in a 20 long gallon, ranging from 1-1.5 inches. I have had them for 6 months, and they have become my favorite fish, and loaches have become my favorite type of fish. Now here comes the question, my friend is redoing his tank to an african tank next week, changing to the sand I have, making more caves, getting an extra filter, and the cichlids. Would the 3 clowns be happy in a 85 gallon till I can get a bigger tank? Or can they stay in my tank? Taking them back isnt an answer anymore.

 

[Mr Miagi]

3 clown loaches would be very happy in an 85 gallon. Especially if they are still young. How big are they?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

read the first sentence

 

[Ben]

should be fine

DD

 

[CFC]

Hold on folks, didnt anyone notice that his friends tank is a AFRICAN CICHLID tank? Your 1.5" clown loaches will be fine in your 20 long for another 6 months until you can buy them a larger tank, if placed with African Cichlds their is a very good chance they will be killed by aggressive Cichlids before you have a chance to obtain the new tank.
Non Rift Valley fish should NEVER be mixed with Cichlids from these habitats (Lake Malaiwi, Tanganykia etc) due to the aggression shown by these species and their need for hard alkeline water which is not appreciated by most other tropicals.

 

[keane]

if placed with African Cichlds their is a very good chance they will be killed by aggressive Cichlids before you have a chance to obtain the new tank.

Non Rift Valley fish should NEVER be mixed with Cichlids from these habitats (Lake Malaiwi, Tanganykia etc)

I have three clown loaches in my 55 gallon Mbuna tank and they are doing very well actually . This was done taking into account the advice of all on the African cichlid section, in particular freddyk (formerly cichlid addict).

The only down side to it is feeding. I have to ensure the clowns get their meaty supplement of bloodworm etc without the Mbuna getting their mouths on it to avoid Malawi bloat.

Other than everything is great. If anything my Mbuna make sure they stay out of the Clowns' way when they come out to play.

steve

 

[Angry_Platy]

I keep mbunas.....I have peacocks, blue dolphins, pseudos and yellow labs.....with clown loaches. They do well. I feed the clowns at one end with bloodworms while I feed the mbunas down the other end with their pellets. All fish are healthy and happy. The cichlids bicker with each other but leave the loaches and shark alone

 

[Mr Miagi]

read the first sentence

My apologies. Didnt see that the size was written in the original post... Doh

 

[CFC]

if placed with African Cichlds their is a very good chance they will be killed by aggressive Cichlids before you have a chance to obtain the new tank.

Non Rift Valley fish should NEVER be mixed with Cichlids from these habitats (Lake Malaiwi, Tanganykia etc)

I have three clown loaches in my 55 gallon Mbuna tank and they are doing very well actually . This was done taking into account the advice of all on the African cichlid section, in particular freddyk (formerly cichlid addict).

The only down side to it is feeding. I have to ensure the clowns get their meaty supplement of bloodworm etc without the Mbuna getting their mouths on it to avoid Malawi bloat.

Other than everything is great. If anything my Mbuna make sure they stay out of the Clowns' way when they come out to play.

steve

He makes no indication as to what species the Afican Cichlids are so to err on the side of caution it is best not to intermix species, some (many) Africans are insanely aggressive and a clown loach is not armed nor prepared for this level of aggression.

Personally i would not mix any non rift valley species with cichlids from the rift valleys as the incompatabilities out weigh the compatabilities

Rift valley cichlids come from hard alkeline mineral rich waters.

Clown loaches come from soft acidic mineral defficient waters.

Rift valley cichlids are aggressive and territorial.

Clown loaches are non aggressive and do not understand defined territories.

Rift valley cichlids are primarily aufwuchs (algea) feeders and should be fed high protein foods sparingly/not at all.

Clown loaches need pleanty of high protein foods in their diet to acheive good growth and remain healthy.

Rift valley Cichlids have thousands of years of evolution to get used to other cichlids and be prepared for their aggression.

Clown loaches come from Asia where there are no Cichlids and are not evolved to live with aggressive Cichlids

 

[Macracantha]

If they are happy where they are I wouldn't move them for now!

 

[FrAnK3333]

So far he plans to put peacocks in so far, he isnt sure on the rest of the stocking.