Loaches Online Forum

How many clowns for a Clown Loach only 120g aquarium would you feel comfortable with?

Two x 2217 Eheim cannisters, two Aquaclear powerheads. Well aquascaped with rock hiding places and lots of driftwood.

I have 7 clowns now that range from 5 to 8 years old. The largest ones are now around 6" and VERY fat.

I would 'like' to add 10 - 15 small additional 1-1/2" clowns to the colony.

ANother ten.

that sounds great!
Would LOvE to see any pics, if you have some.
I have seven in a 125g and, though they are young (biggest is 4 to 5") and only about two years old at most, I think they would be okay with more buddies (if I could keep up with maintenance!!).
My limiting factor is TIME to do water changes. I do 40-50% every 3 to 4 days.
How is your maintenance schedule??? ... to me, that is MY limiting factor. gotta keep it clean and nice for them!

glenna wrote:I do 40-50% every 3 to 4 days.

Wow, that's a lot of water! Have you worked up to that amount of turnover, finding it necessary to maintain water quality, or is it more a philosophy/personal preference? 'Just curious, as my own habits are quite different (30% every 10 days or so ). My approach has been to pour as little water down the drain as possible. I use plants and worms to help deal with nitrate and solids build up, but I can't imagine my tank stays as clean as yours!

I measure the nitrate and find that a 25% change every week gives me 5ppm nitrate with six Clown Loaches in a 90 uk gal 6' x 18" x 18" tank filtered by 2 powerhead driven undergravel filters.

I have a REALLY hard time photographing loaches!

I need to try putting something tasty in there and waiting till there all out of the hidey holes