emmie_bear

I have a 120ltr tank and bought three little juvenile clown loaches about seven months ago, thinking that they would be fine until i upgraded my tank to a bigger one. I have since gained a bit more experience in fishkeeping and now I am concerned that their growth may be stunted as i didnt realise that they need far more space than other fish of the same size. They were about an inch long each when i bought them and have doubled in size since then, but havent grown at all in the last couple of months and they dont 'dance' half as much as they used to, and have become more reclusive. Is this normal behaviour? How fast do they grow? I am saving desperately to get a 400ltr corner tank for my new house (i am moving in august) but I'm so worried that the poor loaches are getting stressed that I'm considering finding a new home for them. Please help, I love them dearly and don't want them to be unhappy.

Butterfly

Mine went from 1-1/2 inch to 6 & 7 inches in a year and went into a 75g tank. at this point they slowed down. They definitely need lots of room and almost perfect water.
Carol

seedy

Hi emmie_bear
Mine have grown from 6-7cm to 10-11cm in about 6 months.
They are also fatter and taller , and I would guess they probably weigh twice as much now , compared to when I got them. It seemed to me they grew in spurts.
They also only did the "loach dance" when they first went in the tank.
I think they would be alright until your new tank is ready , just don't rush to get them in (cycled tank).
Hope this helps.

seedy

Hi emmie_bear
Mine have grown from 6-7cm to 10-11cm in about 6 months.
They are also fatter and taller , and I would guess they probably weigh twice as much now , compared to when I got them. It seemed to me they grew in spurts.
They also only did the "loach dance" when they first went in the tank.
I think they would be alright until your new tank is ready , just don't rush to get them in (cycled tank).
Hope this helps.