Gail

Hi - sure hope someone can help. I purchased 2 clowns and introduced them in to a well established 29 high tank. I do regular water changes as well as testing to keep the tank in as good a condition as I can. I have 1 large lazy pleco that has done well for a year now, a pair of swordtails, 4 very small neons, 3 guppys and a straggler tetra. All are fine and well, except the clowns. One died 2 days ago and the other I found this morning? The strange part is they were both active and playful the night before? Water levels are well within the normal range and the temp is at about 82. No ick is/was present so I'm not sure what is going on? Should I try another pair? These aren't "cheap" fish and even though $8 isn't a huge amount, it's not one I'd really like to spend every 7-10 days only to watch them die and not really knowing why? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...Thanks

mathas

I would say no, unless you have a much larger tank that you can move them to when they grow. A clown loach can reach over 12" in length, and they do best in groups. A 29g isn't anywhere near large enough for a full-grown adult, let alone a 29 high.

As for why they died so quickly, it's hard to say. Your aquarium info says you do have ammonia present, which is a bad sign, even as little as you have. What are your readings for nitrites and nitrates?

Gail

My nitrates are at about 10ppm, nitrites at about .001.

I do know they would have needed a larger tank at some point. My plan was to get my 75 set back up and running for a while, then, transfer the fish into the new tank. These clowns were still pretty small at about 1 1/2"

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!! im sorry you have lost your babies but you got to finish the cycle of your tank first...you are cycled when ammonia and nitrites are at 0 and nitrates under 20...its close because you have nitrate readings..but its not done yet.....daily water changes with some prime will neutralize the ammonia for 24 hours until your next change..loaches are super sensitive and require an established tank to thrive well....goodluck!

mathas

Good to hear you have a larger tank! Unfortunately, they'll eventually outgrow a 75g as well Not only are they large at adulthood, they need a lot of space to swim... a 48" tank stops seeming so large with a group of five or more 12" loaches zipping around. Loaches.com has a good article on the species, with the following quotes:

I'm curious about your water readings, though. Your aquarium info says you have .002ppm ammonia, and you say .001ppm nitrites. My API kits for both ammonia and nitrites jump from 0ppm to 0.25ppm. What kind of testing are you doing that is specific down to 1/1000th ppm?

Butterfly

Clown Loaches are super sensitive to even small amounts of Ammonia and Nitrites, especially small ones.
Before you buy more I would suggest getting your tank cycled and matured a little first. they need lots of hiding/sleeping places also.
When their small they have a hard time competing with other fish for enough food to eat.
Carol

Jo3olous

wowww learning so much about clown loaches I am now very nervous with my current loach. crosses fingers X keep up my water changes and hope it stays looking good!