Loaches Online Forum

In recent months, if anyone recalls, my Alpha clown loach was blinded by a heat problem in my big clown tank. We removed him, treated him for the fungus that had arisen from all of his scratches (and the possible re-cycling of the tank), and all was well. He had a recent outbreak of Ich, and it was off to the 10 gallon hospital tank again. While he was there, my wife noticed that he would beg at the top of the tank for food.

All's well, and he's returned to the 90 gallon, but now my wife can bring him to the top of the tank by walking by, or by tapping one of his sinking pellets on the top of the tank. He catches the sinking pellet before it gets below him, and he's getting better at it.

Anyone tried to get clowns to eat from their fingers? Any luck with that?

Ya mean like this

Lovely picture!

I think we need this pic #2 somewhere on the new site. I've always thought it was terrific. Something about the way he's just resting on the loose fingers really screams trust and care to me...

It's a terrific shot Shari (and I don't care how many times I type it, that STILL cracks me up! )

hope ya dont mind me asking what are the other fish in the tank?

What is the green fish behind the severum in pic 1 and off to the right in pic 2.

That is absolutely precious.
You've definitely earned the trust of that clown!
My dojo Hoakey used to do that, and liked getting his dorsal fin and body pet. I tried not to do it often and did it more as a treat, I was scared of wiping off some of the slime from his body. RIP Hoakey!

Thanks Everyone

Shari, I know just how ya feel. Typing your own name is strange

Don't mind any questions, honestly.....

First off, it's not a Severum, it's just a huge Mesonauta festivum. I've had home tank tours with my Aquatic Society and been told he's the biggest Festivum anyone has seen

The "green" fish, is actually blue. The flash washes out his color It's a Blue Demspey. I've had him since he was a little 2" cutie, over 2 years, now

Other then them, I have the big Angel (moving to an Angel tank) Congo Tetras, a kubotai, 2 Yoyos, 3 SAE, and the other clowns

Amazing Photos! What a big clown. After seeing this, my wife and I have a new goal.

Cracking pic mate. It'll be nice if mine came out of the cave, never mind eat out of my hand. How big is the clown? he looks a good 8" or so.

Just yesterday my largest clown (nowhere near as big as Albert...) decided he'd eat bloodworm out of my hand. It was actually kinda scary.

Lots of loud clicking that sounded more like rock knocking on wood, and very nippy! Then the little guys tried to get in there and I had little bites all over my fingers. The ring finger somehow ended up hanging into the water a bit and the big clown thought it was a giant worm or something and tried to suck it off my hand!

Sheesh.

They are getting mighty bold in their too little tank...

Albert is about 10" or so....but VERY Gentle. I'm suprised at your's Shari. I've never been "biten", but Albert will suck on my fingertips and nuzzle my hands looking for more Bloodworms

Did you at least get to feel them? Feels like Velvet to me

Basically just the 'front end' ...you know, the end with the teeth? OK. so they may not have teeth, but there is something sharp and scratchy in there. Now I know how they get those snails out of their shells, and carry rocks around, and scar each other when they're scrapping...

Though they are out and about more they are hardly what I'd call 'relaxed' which is what Albert sounds more like to me. Probably will take a bigger tank to get to that point. We'll see.

Laid back would be appropriate

I need to figure out how to get a pic of him watching TV with me The Recliner is next to the "feeding" corner, and before dinner time he will sit there with me. He's fairly patient until I get up and move around

OH, and I got some of the FEED ME NOW pics with him in it...gotta get them on the net for ya........

Looking forward to the pics. How old would Albert be?

Do you think he's so brave because of his size, or is he just really hungry?