Loaches Online Forum

I'm planning to get 10 pieces clown loach for my empty 75 gallon tank,
still undecided whether to get the 3.5cm or 4.5 cm,
since they are cheaper than getting a 5-6 inch loach
just curious as to how long it will take me to raise them to 6 inch so i can add them into my arowana tank
how long did it take for your guys to grow your cl's?

Fish are like most humans and animals. There are many variables that contribute to their health and growth.

A 75 gallon tank is not big enough (long enough) for clown loaches.

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

Those with average growth rates, can take 4 or 5 years to grow to 6". But some may never grow to 6" due to genetic variation. I've got a few that will likely max out at about 3" to 4".

It took mine about 10 years to increase from 3.5cm to 15cm.

Females are now 20cm, males 15cm - that's 17 years later!

I found their growth slow, but the fish very sturdy indeed with no ailments.

I have seen similar topics on here before and find it odd that Clowns have such poor growth rates in general, my own experience is somewhat different.

My loaches where bought 18 months a go and averaged 3/4" (2cms ish) all are now over 3" most are over 4 and the biggest pushing 5", I have just inherited my Sons Clowns (he's moved abroad) and his fish where slightly bigger when he bought them just over 2 years ago smallest is well over 5" and the biggest is 7", the fish came from different sources but have all shown fair growth rates.

So why the difference in growth rates to what appears to be the norm?

I found the best way to get fast growth is to treat them right away for internal parasites.
I got some very small babies (about 1"-1.5") and they were all over 2" in well under a year, then over 3" in less than another year. After that they slowed down, but are now about 4.5".

Some other youngsters I got about a year ago were larger when I got them (about 2") and are now a bit over 3".

Clean tank, good rotation of food that includes quality protein and plant based foods. None of the fish meal and grain cheap foods.

If you have a group of them, one will become the "dominant" fish, and will hog the largest portion of food, and hence grow noticeable faster than the others. I had two the same exact age, and the "big boss" was almost double the size of the smaller. Other than that... It depends. It could take a few years or 10 to reach 5-6 inches in length... depending on the loach, the food, setting, etc.