tank size and # of loaches

[jv72]

hello all,
i recently upgraded to a 55 gallon tank. i have 2 clown loaches, 2 ameca splendens, 3 cory cats and 2 ctenopoma acutirostre's. all get along well for the most part, although the ameca's on occasion like to harass my ctenopoma's (which is kind of strange given the ctenopoma's are nearly 5 inches and the ameca's only about 2.5 inches...but man, ameca's are some of the smartest and confident little critters i've ever seen pound for pound...or gram for gram!). i upgraded since my larger loach has now reached about 3 inches in length so i knew my 29G was way too small for the long-run (and i just didn't have the space for anything larger than a 55G).

my Q is this, i'm facing the tradeoff. i know alot of folks here think 55G's is not enough for clown loaches (as a plus though i have lots of driftwood and hiding spaces). so, on that end, i think i should not get another clown. on the other hand, everyone says 3 is a minimum. i know i may be irresponsible only having clown loaches in a 55G, but i still do not foresee getting a larger tank in the near future. with that said, is it a lesser of 2 evils to go ahead and get a 3rd clown, or will i be maxing out the tank too much?? there is a chance i could upsize 5 years from now if they really get way too big and i've moved...

so, do i get the third? or should i consider smaller loaches instead...and are there smaller loaches that could get along with the clowns and provide company?

thanks!

[jv72]

one more follow-up consideration as I debate the situation. given the reality of the market and exploitation of animals in industry, there are probably thousands and thousands of clown loaches ending up with awful fates. have you ever been to petsmart and seen what they say is the minimum tank size for a clown loach? -- 10 gallons. 10 gallons?!? that's insane.

so, i'd be willing to bet that out of every 10 clown loaches on the market, probably 6-7 end up being purchased by someone who doesn't know what they are doing and putting them in a 10-30 gallon tank where they die early (especially if bought from large chains). it's almost like i argue to my fellow cat lovers about declawing. i have 2 cats and they are NOT declawed. but, i'd rather a cat go to someone who is going to declaw it but give it an otherwise good life than to be 'put down' at the shelter.

with this logic, i truly believe it is more likely that an individual clown loach on the market will end up in really bad conditions than in a beautiful 120+ gallon tank. this is much less likely to happen from a reputable fish store of course. so, do i buy one from petsmart where i am likely saving it as opposed to not buying one or buying one from the good LFS that does only sell them to the right owners? i almost think it makes sense! (plus, while only a 55G, it's otherwise not overstocked, i keep pristine water conditions and have adjustable filtration up to 100 gallons, and lots of driftwood)

[Tinman]

I would add more Clowns then trade them in at a time when they get bigger if I did not get a bigger tank. Enjoy them now small then when appropriate trade to smaller ones again. This is best as two or less is not good as they mature it is more of a problem. They take a long time to grow ya know.....let them enjoy company and you their antics until you push your tanks limits....imho

i have 2 cats and they are NOT declawed. but, i'd rather a cat go to someone who is going to declaw it but give it an otherwise good life than to be 'put down' at the shelter.

I would argue this with you in the off topic . No cat should ever be let outside if it is to be a house cat imo. My cats are fully declawed to the ire of the un-enlightened. I would never let them outside. I would not have claws inside. Farm kittys and barn kittys should be left clawed to defend I would agree completely .

[jv72]

Thanks for the advice Tinman. Makes sense. And, while right now I can't see wanting to upgrade tanksize, I'm sure I'll be thinking differently 2-3 years from now. I assume loaches grow slow enough that my 2 inch and 3 inch ones won't outgrow 55G's in 2-3 years. I'll probably go ahead and get a 3rd, but get a small one.

On the other topic, I pretty much agree with you, though I may have said my original statement in a confusing way...