Loaches Online Forum

Hi,

A quick question. 10 days ago I got a couple of larger clowns (5-6") to go with my current family of 9 clowns (3-4"), bit of an impulse buy as I hadn't seen clowns this size for sale.

I have a pipe construction and basically the new clowns are just in there all the time, I'm lucky if I get to see their tails. Even when feeding the new guys don't show their faces. I asked when buying them what they've been feeding them on (bloodworm) which is a staple diet in my tank. In the 10 days all sorts of other food has also been fed, courgette, prawns, flake, granule, algae wafers, carnivore pellets (which all the other clowns go wild for) and yet I've never seen my two newbies show themselves.

So, should I now be getting concerned that they're not eating, or assume that they can't be hungry otherwise they'd be out feeding with the rest.

The new fish should of been quarantined for at least a month before adding them to your main tank. That way you could of observed them, let them acclimate to your water conditions, see what they will eat, and treated them for any parasites.


I don't know what the aquarium is like, but I'd say that the clowns are having problems acclimating to the new water chemistry, to the new biological culture, and to the new social climate. Being moved straight to an established tank can be a very stressful experience.

Keep an eye out for any disease outbreaks. New fish are most vulnerable to parasites.

Pesky Clowns what are they like

I would guess that they are getting used to their surroundings. But I imagine it would be good to see them taking on food etc.

Although it is probably cruel and against the rules, I would be inclined to offload the tubes. If nothing else this will give you the opportunity of seeing the new guys and making sure they are ok.

Clowns are often very nocturnal, perhaps they are coming out after you've gone to bed, only to find that the pellets have all gone

Hey Tokka

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