need advice on clown loaches

[tracy]

I just bought 2 clown loaches and added them to my 32 gallon tank which consists of guppies, red minor tetras, cardinals, rummy noses, neons, platys and two plecos. Day two and Clown's seem happy (eating, very lively and exploring everything) and all fish appear to be adjusting to one another. One of the clowns has 4 stripes; is that unusual or the norm? I have a chance to buy a used 55 gallon tank that i would like to dedicate to clown's because I am fascinated by them but thought I'd better try buying the initial two to see what is involved with care etc.

I've been researching on the internet but prefer firsthand info. Any advice for a clown neophite?

[poeticpyro]

clowns do best in groups (LARGER THE BETTER!!) 3 is the bare minimum and even then a 55gallon tank is usually too small. I'd take them back and do botia striatas or some other smaller loach... maybe some yo-yos since they'll do well in a 55gal.

[Martin Thoene]

Hi tracy and welcome to LOL. Whereabouts in this tiny country are you?

You said that you had done some reaearch, but have you read our Clown Loach stuff first? Look here and check out all the linked articles.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/cl ... cracanthus

You'll find stuff on markings, colouring, my own Clown tank, linked video, etc.

By all means if these raise questions come back and ask about specifics. We LOVe talking about Clowns!

Martin.

[tracy]

Hi Martin and thanks for your speedy response. I'm in London - not too far down the 401! Yes, I saw your tank and it's truly amazing! My two clowns are approximately two inches in length. The previous poster suggested I take my two clowns back to the LFS. Yikes, not what I wanted to hear. Any thoughts?

[Martin Thoene]

Not too far away then....I was in the Guelph area earlier today

What you will have gathered from reading that stuff is that your Clowns are going to get a LOT bigger and really need 3 more buddies. A 55 is ok for a bit, but if you want to seriously keep Clowns in adequate and fair conditions, you have to look at upgrading to a larger tank at some time.

If that's logistically or financially impossible it will be better for the fish long-term if you returned them and looked at smaller growing Botia species.

You have to remember that Clowns can live over twice as long as most dogs, so you're looking at a long-term commitment.

Martin.