christy22

How do Clown Loaches get along with other fishes? My tanks is being invaded by snail babies and I need to get rid of some of them!!! Currently i have 1 large angel, a rainbow, 3 phantom tetras and 2 congo tetras and they seem to get along just fine right now.

Amanda

Clown Loaches get to be 8 in. and should be kept in a 75 gallon tank. Unless you were to buy young ones & return them once your snail population is under control, clown loaches would not be able to stay in a 32 gal. aquarium.

mathas

They can get larger than that, if kept in proper conditions! They also do best in groups, so you would ideally want several.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index...a-macracanthus

Alasse

They take ages to grow, thats one bonus. You could safely have then in your tank for a few years at least, but once they start to get to large you could rehome them

Butterfly

Good information. The best place there is to get Loach information.

If you just want the loaches for the snail problem you could try getting rid of the snails without buying a fish you might not want after the problem is solved
Frequently a snail population explosion is a sign that the tank may be being overfed, or the substrate not vacuumed often/ or deep enough. Snails multiply in proportion to the food available.
Reducing feeding at least in half(fishes stomachs are the size of one eye), do extra water changes and gravel vacuums for a bit to get rid of snail eggs. Then put a piece of lettuce in the tank at night after lights out to bait the snails. The throw away the snails on the lettuce the next morning. After awhile this will rid you of snails.
but snails aren't all bad
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=14
If you decide you still need/want loaches consider Yoyos , dwarf chain Loaches,zebra loaches.
http://www.loaches.com/
carol

Butterfly

Alasse I have to respectfully disagree with you
Mine went from 1 1/2 and 2 inches to 7 & 8 inches in a year. Granted they slow down after that but they are just too big for a tank that size.
Carol

Alasse

Yep feel free. I've had mine nearly a year and they've grown prolly 3-4cm in that time. As i stated, if they get to large they can be rehomed.

There are other smaller loaches that would be suitable also. The pakistani loach is a good snail eater.

MeGustaUnaPez926

I don't think its fair to the fish to make them go through that. Being brought out of the fish store, the scary ride home, new surroundings, no friends, then having to go through it all again? Plus there is the likelihood you would get attached to the loach and not want to give him back. I would do what Carol suggested, use bait.