slevin711

Okay, I am looking into adding 3 clown loaches to my 55g gallon tank (see my sig below for details). Now, before people start saying that I need a bigger tank realize that I will upgrade these guys to a 125g or 110g within about a year so they should be okay for the size of the tank and the slow rate at which they grow for at least a year. I have also owned clown loaches once before so I know a fair bit about the conditions they should be kept in.

Unfortunately I am not back at my apartment for another week and a half, so I can't post pictures right now. They question I have is I how much swimming space is ample for these guys and is that referring to the bottom of the tank? My tank has several long driftwood pieces and couple different caves that take up a good deal of the bottom of the tank bit there is more than enough swimming room from the middle of the tank and up. IS this enough or should I remove a hiding place or two?

Butterfly

Clown loaches need lots of length in a tank for swimming room they also need lots of turn around room when swimming. Sleeping/hiding places are also important.
Since the bala sharks(which get large)are already in the tank they have claimed their territory. Before adding Clowns I would re-arrange some of the decor so all the fish will have to claim territories all over again. This will help keep down aggression/fights over territory because the clowns are nosy and will investigate the whole tank.
Without seeing your tank I can't say what needs to be left or taken out.
Please do upgrade as soon as possible. With the right conditions Clown loaches will grow fast the first year and then slow down. Mine went to 7 & 8 inches in a year. They were in a 75g tank, 2x weekl, 50% water changes.
Hope that helps
Carol

slevin711

wow! 7-8's! That's very impressive.

Well, I had 3 clown loaches with 2 bala sharks in a 55 before and they never seemed to notice each other or get defensive. The bala sharks seem to only like the top of the tank and the clowns stayed bottom to middle. I do udnerstand what yoyu are saying though. I will post pictures as soon as I can (in a week unfortunately) so that my first post makes more sense. Thank you for your quick response Carol!

Butterfly

Yes they were beautiful clowns their pics are in my albums. I had them for four years and they grew about another inch each in that time. When we moved they didn't travel well and died.
The clowns I have now are really nosy also. If a cory comes out and acts like he is eating the clowns have to go see if he has food he's not sharing LOL. They are not aggressive but are very busy. They are forever zooming around the tank.
Check this out
Heart attack anyone?
Carol