I Walked Away!!!

[Sharon]

....from some lovely Clown Loaches that came in today! I've had my problems with Clowns but the previous loaches that I've purchased have been very tiny...maybe 1inch. These lovely guys were about 2inches, and lovely and plump. I have no more room in my 55gal...so I walked away!!!:ssad: I may cry later!!!

[fishlover49]

I bet that was hard for you to do, Sharon. I know how much you love them. :scry:

[Red]

Wow you are fighting the MTS (clownloachitis is a sign)
BTW for the quick derail whats the min size tank for a group of clown loaches, for the life of me i can't remember.

[Sharon]

Minimum tank size... BIG!!! I'd say a 6 foot tank to house a group of fully grown loaches. When I bought them previously, I had them in my 55gal, as they take a long time to grow. Frank, my Syno, has been moved into the 55gal after an illness a few months ago. I don't have the heart to put him back with the Africans, and I think he's now too large for that tank, anyway...so that means no room for the Clowns...

[Rue]

Congrats on having all that willpower!thumbs2:

[Brookfish]

Sometimes it's hard to walk away Sharon, but you did the right thing!!

[Sharon]

I know...but it doesn't make me very happy! I've been thinking about them all evening, stuck there at the store just waiting to go into some kid's 10gal tank...

[Lady Hobbs]

I bought my 7 before I knew of the size they are supposed to grow. I lost two since having them due to them getting STUCK in places they should not have been allowed to go. Stupid fake castles!

They are in my planted 55 and I just don't worry about it anymore. They live 20-30 years and I won't be around when they, if they, become too large. There are articles all over the internet about Marge, the wonder loach. She is now 20 years old and tops out at 10-1/2". Since Marge is famous for her size at 20 years, why should I think mine would get even larger?

Can they get bigger? Of course they can but most are stated to get not much larger than 8 inches in a home tank. We also hear of 16 inch bala sharks but that is also uncommon, as well, in a fish tank.

If you like this loach and want some that bad, then get some. In 20 years, you may have room for a 200 gallon if needed.

[Lady Hobbs]

Just reading about them again. Every site gives a different size and lifespan. I've been reading anywhere from 6 inches and 15 years to 10 inches and 50 years. LOL I don't think anyone has had them long enough to know. LOL

Another article about Marge has her at 11 1/2" but as stated in above post, she is famous for her size and not the norm.

[Sharon]

I've read all the same things, LH. I may have to reconsider. I've wanted Clowns from the very beginning...that was at the time when I thought I'd never need anything bigger than a 55gal... It seemed HUGE at the time!!! By the time these Clowns grow to adulthood, I'll probably be "pushing up Daisies!!!" I'm a little concerned about them getting enough food, though. Frank is a pig( Bless him) and the Rainbows are aggressive eaters. I've also lost every Clown I've purchased here, and I've tried several times. I know it's not my water quality, and after extensive research, found nothing to explain the losses. I tried carbon, no carbon...I'm still thinking...this shipment did look really healthy!!!

[Lady Hobbs]

Clowns, in my opinion, are shipped way too early. You see them shipped less than one inch, for crying out loud. And they are suspectible to ick so many are ill when purchased. I would certainly not tell someone to buy clowns with a 10 gallon tank but they will do fine in that 55 gallon for a long time.

The bows eat from the surface so should be no problem.

[Sharon]

Well, this is going to be another exhausting day for me...I have to THINK again!!!:hmm3grin2orange:

[Sharon]

LH...what do you feed your Clowns? I considered diet as a possible problem, when I lost the others. I was trying to fatten them up, because they were so tiny, and I fed brine shrimp, bloodworms, and vegetables. I wondered if I should have been heavier on the veggies, and maybe they got too much protein...

[Demjor19]

Clown Loaches take forever to grow! I have a school of 9 right now...ranging from 5" down to 1.5". I have had a few of them for about 2-3 years now and have noticed no more than an inch of growth. Their current home is a 75 shared with a few of my Severums. If you want the loaches I would get them...especially if they arent that available where you are. you'll have plenty of time to get a larger tank for them.

[Lady Hobbs]

They eat about everything. Shrimp and algae pellets, fish food, cukes, zucchini slices. I give mine watermelon...sometimes earth worms.....they aren't pickie eaters but I had no luck with lettuce, spinanch or peas. Don't know why but what I thought they'd eat the best they didn't.