Getting clowns out more

**Brhino** · 06-05-2012, 02:27 AM

My clown loaches really don't like the light, it seems. It's only a single 2' T-12 bulb in a 4' tank so it's hardly anything at all. In the mornings before the light comes on and there's just a tiny bit of ambient light from a small basement window, they move all over the tank and attack the food as soon as its down. When the light is on they stay in cover almost full time and rarely move. They barely even come out to eat.

The tank is littered with caves made from PVC, rock, or wood. I have a massive sechool of young danios as dithers. I've thought about adding a floating plant like amazon frogbit but it seems like I'd have to increase the lighting for that which might end up being counterproductive.

What do you guys think? Is it just normal for clown loaches to stay bunkered up whenever the light is on, or is there something I can do to coax them out?

**DeadSulphurhead** · 06-05-2012, 03:18 AM

Can't say it's normal, because mine are active and scavenging every time I look, regardless of light intensity... but then again, mine may not be the normal ones.. I know more about Yoyos than clowns..

**Crispy** · 06-05-2012, 06:58 AM

mine only like the ambient light in the room also. they are 5+ years old and have always been that way. typical behaviour IMO.

**-Alex-** · 06-05-2012, 07:03 AM

New clowns can be pretty shy for a month(s).

How long have they been in your tank? Light shouldnt really be an issue if you have had your clowns for a few years (They of course do prefer lower light though)... Also a large school incourages them to come out.

**~Col~** · 06-05-2012, 07:50 AM

If the light is on my clowns will only come out if there is food.

While the light is off, they are always out and about.

My lights are only on for a couple of hours in the morning and for about 4 hours in the afternoon/night.

**gm72** · 06-05-2012, 10:33 AM

My clowns were like that when I had them years ago. They only seemed to come out in dim light or when the tank was dark unless I fed them. Even then they would come out to eat then go right back into hiding.

**Brhino** · 06-05-2012, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by -Alex-

New clowns can be pretty shy for a month(s).

How long have they been in your tank? Light shouldnt really be an issue if you have had your clowns for a few years (They of course do prefer lower light though)... Also a large school incourages them to come out.

I've had them for... four months now I think. I started with ten tiny loaches and some of them never grew and eventually wasted away, which I why I have five now. Been thinking about getting a few more, perhaps buying larger ones this time.

**dice502** · 07-28-2012, 12:25 PM

Add some Tiger Barbs! Clown Loaches and Tiger barbs are known to school together and mine do. First couple days I had them they were very shy, sleeping all day, upside down in their cave (HOW CUTE?!). Now they are out and about hanging out with my tiger barbs.

Naturally they are nocturnal, but they will also mimic other fish in the tank hence my Tiger Barb suggestion.