clown loaches - number or tank size more important?

[tigger101023]

I have a couple of clowns (2, actually), that I picked up and are currently residing in a 29 gal community tank. First time having loaches. I had my first ich breakout in about 10 years, probably in no small part due to the clowns. 10 days of heat and salt and the clowns that looked like they'd die at any moment actually now look really good, at least to my untrained eye. They are still small (3" or so).

I am considering taking them out of the community tank and putting them on their own in a smaller tank (10g) while they wait for the 125g that I will be getting sometime in December of January. I plan to have 6 eventually, but I'm not comfortable putting 4 more in their current tank.

What I really want is a 30 long to tide me over, but the husband objects to yet another tank.

So the question is, knowing that they won't be there permanently, would a couple of extras in a smaller tank be better because they have more friends and are happier (I am willing to do the maintenance to keep the water clean), or is it better to keep them in a larger tank that I know can handle the bioload, but there's only 2 of them?

[ensign_lee]

Until you get teh 125 setup, I vote that you put them in the largest tank possible and not get them more tankmates. Once you have them in teh 125, then you should get more loaches.

[Emma Turner]

Yes, even though the 29 is far too small for them, I would leave them where they are until you get the 125 - but do try and make it sooner rather than later. Not only would a 10 gallon tank be even worse for them space-wise (even on a temporary basis) but it would be difficult to maintain stable conditions for them.

Emma

[tigger101023]

Thanks for the replies. I know it's not ideal, but I should have them in a much better situation soon.

[zmo63]

glad to see someone else from atlanta here!

[bslindgren]

Just imagine what we could do if it wasn't for these stingy spouses, eh!!

[tigger101023]

Technically in the 'burbs (Northeast Cobb), but still Atlanta to anyone that's not a local.

Just imagine what we could do if it wasn't for these stingy spouses, eh!!

Indeed. But at least I am getting a pretty big upgrade in a 125, so I can't be *too* upset about not getting another 30 or 40 when I already have a 29. But I'm still trying

Keeping an eye on the loaches and they do still look good. Great appetites and pretty active. The water is sitll in the high 80s from the ich treatment, but I will be moving it down soon. Should I keep it in the low 80s for the clowns? I normally keep it in the high 70s, but if they are the most sensitive fish in there, I'll gladly bump it up a few degrees for their benefit. It's not like the rest of the fish would care.

[Emma Turner]

It really depends on what other fish you have in the tank and whether they would be comfortable, but clown loaches really do best at temperatures between 82-84 deg F. Just be sure to keep the water well oxygenated at all times when keeping fish at the higher end of the temperature scale.

Emma

[tigger101023]

It really depends on what other fish you have in the tank and whether they would be comfortable, but clown loaches really do best at temperatures between 82-84 deg F. Just be sure to keep the water well oxygenated at all times when keeping fish at the higher end of the temperature scale.

Emma

Everything else is pretty hardy, so I will go ahead and keep it above 80. The extra bio wheel I have on there provides a lot of surface agitation (a lot more than the normal aqua clear), so I'm not too worried about oxygenation. My plants may not like this change too much, but they'll just have to tough it out.