Moving a Small Clown Loach

[Sadielynne]

I haven't been to the veterans' home to take care of the aquariums like I had been, because of a broken ankle (5 mos. ago) - just sporadic visits because it was tough to be on my feet. I am mended now, and will be able to get back into the swing of things.

What I am wondering about is the clown loaches. I know they weren't fed like they should have been and one is smaller and thin looking. Can I bring him safely home to my little 10 gal. that is housing 2 yoyo loaches and a zebra danio? Would the 2 different loaches get along? Also, I worry about the bigger one being left by himself - will he get depressed?

While the 2 clowns have grown, they are still not very big, so the issue of the size of the 10 gal. is really a "non-issue", I believe. I am thinking he would have easier access to food and get some weight back on. Then I would put him back in the 45 gal.

Your help with this matter would be great!! Thanks!

Also, 2 of 3 angels died and the one that is left is pretty good sized. I balk at adding smaller angels, but don't have access to larger ones. He's not huge - more of a medium size, I would say. If I were to add smaller ones, how many would be good? This tank also has platys and one guppy! This is the tank that lost the most fish and I apologize for adding a question about other freshwater fish!!

[Loachloach]

Maybe the bigger angel killed the smaller ones? They can be aggressive to each other so not sure adding more is a good idea.

I am not sure about moving the loach. Often when they are not at their best moving can kill them. Plus if I move them, I'd move both. It probably just needs lots of food to regain its weight.
On another hand, if it can't receive proper care where it is now, then moving it could be its best shot of recovering.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Sadielynne]

Thank you for your input! I appreciate it!

Regarding the angels, the three were the same size. I think just the lack of care while I was gone was the issue, sad to say. I may just have to leave this one by itself, because of his size. I haven't seen any, where I live, that would match him. He's not

I could move both the loaches - that certainly wouldn't be a problem. I am going out to the vets home shortly and will figure out what to do, then. I am hoping the smaller one hasn't gone to fish heaven while I have been absent. It's been a couple wks. since I was there!

Again, thanks!!

[Diana]

When there is a difference in size between fish that started out the same size there are 2 things I wonder about.

1) Parasites. The smaller fish should probably be treated for internal parasites, and since they have all been exposed, probably treat the whole tank.

2) Dominance. It is natural for some fish to be more pushy than another, and the dominant fish will get the best helping of food, especially if the meals are irregular or scanty.

Since either or both of these might be true I do not know if it is a good idea to move one or both Loaches home.
Yes, bring the little one home. Treat for parasites, and feed plenty of healthy meals (followed by lots of water changes!).
But if the size difference is more of a dominance problem, then it would be bad to have both fish in a smaller tank. The big one could be even pushier under those conditions.

[Sadielynne]

thanks for the reply, Diana! Sadly, the smaller, thin loach has gone to heaven. It breaks my heart, but it's been tough to go to the vets home. It'll be easier now, as I am moving more "normally", if that is possible!!

Anyway, I will try a couple more loaches when I find some that are a tad bit bigger than what I saw the other day. Personally, I think good fish are hard to come by, where I live. It's hard because I used to own a fish/pet store, so I know what I am looking for! I am quite critical, and the only places we now have are wally world and Earl May. They are both pretty bad! Sigh!

Well, I am off to bed - Thank you! Paula

[Diana]

Broken ankles are no fun at all. Take it easy, and do all the therapy they tell you to do to get the ankle working again.