Loaches Online Forum

Anyone know of any LFS in Las Vegas or Henderson that have Clown Loaches that are 5" or larger? Also a variety of Loaches. So far I have found the store on East Tropicana .

Before you go looking for any more Clown loaches, you should make sure that everything has settled down in your tank (you said in your previous thread that you had lost a clown loach).
You won't see that many large Clowns offered in the trade, as most are imported at a small size. Clown loaches of around 5"+ are not allowed to be exported from Indonesia - the reason for this is to safeguard the breeding population of mature fish. Larger specimens are also more stressed by the export process. Your best bet is to look after the small Clowns that you have (and by all means add more when your tank is settled), and enjoy watching them grow. They can live for decades and you get to form real bonds with the fish over that period of time. If you get yourself a bigger tank, you can always leave your details with a reputable lfs who you can ask to contact you should anyone bring in larger specimens for re-homing (if they have outgrown someones tank for instance).

Emma

Thanks Emma, local LFS told me that too. I took your advise and did a 40% water change, vac the gravel and replaced the filter cartridges.

I also found an LFS that test my water and offered to examine any fishes that expire or become ill. Since the owner has pet loaches, looks like I found me a new favorite shop. In fact, I just bought two Skunk Botias and a baby Panda Cory from him.

It is great to hear that you have found yourself a decent lfs - it certainly helps if a member of staff has an interest in loaches!

With your water changes, you might not want to change quite as much as 40% in one go - for loaches, little and often is the key to success (say 10-15% twice a week, or more if you can).

Keep an eye on your new Skunk loaches as they can be very aggressive, particularly towards small placid fish such as Corydoras. Having just the two specimens, you may find they bicker rather a lot too.

Emma

How about 10% a week? On the skunks is more better. Maybe like two more? I notice they hog the food too.

If you can only do one weekly water change, I would suggest about 20-25%. If you can do it twice a week or more, do 10-15% each time. For loaches, it is best if you can water change little and often, as they are river fish and are accustomed to living in fresh flowing waters.

With the Skunks, I probably would have passed on them altogether given that you already have Corydoras, glass cats, and timid Silver (Bala) sharks in the tank. They are best kept in groups of around 5, but for such a small fish they are incredibly aggressive. Keep an eye on them, it may well be best to either set up another tank for them, or return them to the store.

Hope this helps,

Emma

what's the issue with larger water changes? coz i always change roughly 30% at a time, normally 2x a week, but if extremely busy, once a week... is it the temp. difference? coz the water temp. in singapore is relatively stable. Or is it to prevent pH swings?

FIVE! whoa I think I will put them in the living room tank and add a couple of buddies. Catching them is going to be fun though... Not looking forward to that.

Hey Emma I separated Redtail and Skunk Botias to thier own aquarium. Like you warned, the corys looked a little battered. They were fine until I bought the skunks, in fact a little Panda cory just died of its injuries. So now the tank has Clowns, Corys, Discus, Glass and Balas. I know still a lil crowded but I want to make sure the other aquarium is perfect before putting any of the clowns in there.

Any idea idea how the clowns will react when half their brothers and sister are gone?

notoo7 wrote: Any idea idea how the clowns will react when half their brothers and sister are gone?

They will cope ok for a short period of time whilst you move some across to the new tank. A few years back we had to move ours over gradually from a 5ft tank to the 7ft. We didn't have as many Clowns as we do these days, but we were very cautious and moved only 4 or 5 at a time. Once re-introduced to each other they became quite excitable, so I believe that they do indeed 'remember'.

Emma

Good News! I found a store that carries larger 6-8 inch clown loaches for $45(US). Little pricey when you consider I have been buying 2-3 inch ones for $5.98, for me it is worth it. I just won't tell my wife what they cost when I buy them Definately will need move some of the smaller ones to the livingroom.