Diggly

I have 2 clowns in a 125g tank and I am looking to buy 2 more this weekend.

I woke up to find one of my clowns lying on its side with grey stripes instead of black and I went into panic mode, started thinking omg no what have I done.

Then when I lifted the tank lid he sprang to life and came to greet me like he always does. I really felt like shouting at him for scaring me half to death lol!! but I was so glad that he was ok that I gave him a treat instead. Tank is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 10 nitrates, I do a test every other day.

Is that normal behaviour? He seems "normal", he is eating and playing around, he just changes colour during feeding time and the lying on his side thing has me a little worried, even if he has only done it once.

aquarist48

Hello Diggly. What you're experiencing with your Clowns does indeed sound normal. It's called "graying out" when their stripes turn colors. Here is a link you may find helpful. I've talked to Butterfly (has "awesome" clowns by the way) about this as well. Maybe she'll share some pictures again
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) — Loaches Online
http://www.loaches.com/articles/clow...ing-variations
I'm sure she'll see this and respond as well.
Ken

Diggly

aww I cant even be mad at him for scaring me haha he is too cute . Seriously though my heart sped up so fast when I thought he was a goner - They should put a warning when you buy them!

- Edit - Ken thanks for the links, you really do make fishlore a special place

btate617

They will often lay over on their sides looking as though they are dead.

Brian

aquarist48

Thanks Diggly. I like to help when I can. Here is a link to one of Butterfly's threads showing her clown loach sleeping.
Heart attack anyone?
Just too cute! (Thanks ButterFly/Carol)
Ken

Diggly

yep that what my loach was doing haha!

though mine are about a quarter of the size of Butterflys .

They really are awesome fish when they arent scaring you to death