Loach runt?

[SCcten]

I have 4 Clown Loaches in my tank (125 gal) along with some other fish. 2 of the Loaches are about 4 to 5 inches and they look and are doing great.
The other 2 are about 1 and 2 inches. They both have good coloring. They were about the same size when I got them but one has grown quickly while the other one has barely grown at all.

Did I just get a runt?, is it a domance thing? Shoud I be worried?

Thanks.

P.S. I have had the smaller pair for about 7 months.

[Gisela]

I have 6 Clown Loaches, got them all in the same month (1.5 years ago). Two are now around 5 in, two 3.5 in and another two 2.5 and 3 in. It's weird, they all eat good and have nice colors, actually the smaller ones have even brighter orange colors. I guess it is just like with humans, some grow faster.

[Crispy]

I've had my loaches for close to 5 years now and yes, they don't all grow at the same rate. The more dominant females are the faster growers.

[Gisela]

You go Girls!:hmm3grin2orange:

[Pleco380]

True, they grow at different rates. If the small loach is well fed there is nothing to worry about, but if he eats but is still very small and thin that's a bad sign. I've had this happen and heard that it is fairly common that clown loaches can get a parasite and stay thin, then eventually die. Hopefully yours isn't too thin, just small.

[SCcten]

I think it might be a parasite. He is very thin and doesn't look to good. The other loaches look great. Should I remove him form the tank before the parasite can spread?

[Pleco380]

Can you post a pic? What are the water parameters?

[SCcten]

I will try to post a pic this week. My water parameters are great. all within the safe and normal ranges. My other 3 Loaches look great and are growing fast. As are the other fish in the tank. Just this one is having problems.

[KatzeSlaugen]

water parameters being great, normal, and safe arent really good descriptors. not trying to knock you its just that different people have different ideas for words, also if your using a dip test vs a liquid test it can skew results. dip tests give a general idea but dont really give you an accurate read, liquid tests will give you more or less a pinpoint read on parameters.

other than looking thin is he acting strange or not eating much?