Narcil

Hi,

Need some advice to get my loaches to be a bit more adventurous.

I have had my loaches for about 2 years primarily in a smaller tank. They were always timid in this smaller tank but would adventure out for food etc every now and again.

About 2 months ago I upgraded to a larger tank, since then they will almost never leave the little terracotta tubes they like to hide in. They don’t even come out for food, although they must eat sometimes prob late at night after i leave them to sleep because they are big (5 of them are about 5-7in and the other 2 are about 2in) and they all look well fed.

So anyways i was wondering if there are any tricks to get them to come out and do something.

Time

I think they are fine but I am sure they are hiding because you provided the space. Sometimes it is that you feed them too much. If they are fed properly they should be scavenging for food. If fed too much they would be "lazy". I hope that is it because then there would be nothing else I could say. Other members can help you more.

Butterfly

What else is in the tank with them? Was the tank cycled before they were added? 240L =60g thats still a little small for that many clowns of that size. They may still be getting used to the new tank.
Sorry for the questions
Carol

Narcil

Well it is a little crowded in the tank, but i do look after the water with frequent water changes (30-40%) and regular water testing.

Yes the tank was cycled before adding fish to the tank.

At the moment there are:

4 bristlenose pleco
2 angels
10 cardinals
5 rummy nose
2 cory's
and the 7 loaches

I suppose i just have to let them settle in, I just thought that after 2 or so months that they would be settled.