Clown Loach

[Goodbye]

In my 38 gallon planted tank I have a 2" clown loach that is chasing my cherry barbs and rams around the tank. He doesn't nip at them. He just chases them, especially at feeding time. My question is this: Is it normal for a Clown Loach to be this aggressive towards other fish?

I know that he will eventually outgrow the tank. I plan on giving him away once he reaches 4-5". My brother owned him for 3 years. He was in a 120 gallon tank and only grew and inch. So based on that it will take him a few years to reach 4-5". But anyway, I dont know if him being in such a small tank is a factor or not. He does have other loaches in there though they are not the same species. There are 2x burma loaches, 2x yoyo loaches and 1x clown loach.

I know that loaches need buddies so that leads me to this next question. Does a loach have to have buddies that are the same species or can I have different species and have the loaches be just as happy as they would with a group of five or more loaches in the same species?

Thanks for the help,

Agassizii

[Lady Hobbs]

He's hungry and wants that food. Give him some algae pellets, sliced cucumber, melon......something for him other than fish food. They love to eat and eat all the time. He also needs friends. Even two more would be better for him depending on your tank size. I have 5 in a 55 gallon, 3 years old and about 4 inches. By the time they get "too big" they will be someone elses problem, I think. They live 20 + years.

[kennedpa]

Yep...I have 2 in my 3ft tank... they do not hassle anyone else and are as happy as can be..I have had them for over 4yrs now and they are healthy as...See my pics in the gallery. They get fed blood worms, flake and the occasional piece of zuchini

[Goodbye]

He's hungry and wants that food. Give him some algae pellets, sliced cucumber, melon......something for him other than fish food. They love to eat and eat all the time. He also needs friends. Even two more would be better for him depending on your tank size. I have 5 in a 55 gallon, 3 years old and about 4 inches. By the time they get "too big" they will be someone elses problem, I think. They live 20 + years.

The only problem about getting more is that my 38 gallon tank is already fully stocked. I dont have any room left to get anymore unless I find a new home for a few of the fish currently in the tank.

I will start feeding the loaches food other then the common flake and pellet. I will get cucumber and lettuce for them. I do occasionaly feed frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and tubifex worms. Also, there is algae pellets, shrimp pellets, carnivore pellets and an assortment of freeze dried foods that I have readily available. Thanks for the replies.

[Crispy]

If you did get them a few 'buddies', they will not be aggressive towards your other fish.