Beautiful Clown Loach for Sale

[nroelant]

Hi everyone,

I am new to your forum and need help giving a wonderful clown loach a happy home. I live in Metro Detroit, Michigan. I recently started a 30 gal community tank, and went to what I thought was a reputable fish reseller. This is a store dedicated to the fish hobbyist - offering very little in other pets and supplies and has been in the community for decades.

I saw a clown loach in a tank and purchased it without first researching the fish. "He" (not sure of the sex) has wonderful pigmentation - very deep orange and black hues.

I asked the the 17 yr who netted the fish if the clown loach was compatible with guppies (I had 4 of them in my tank) and he said yes. He never asked about my tank size or questioned if I knew how big this fish would get. The store policy is ABSOLUTELY no refunds or exchanges. Pretty convenient hmmm?

Well, now that I have had this fish for almost 6 weeks and I am completely attached to him, I am learning that he needs a much bigger tank than I can offer, and I cannot provide a larger tank for this loach.

Can someone tell me how you would go about finding this guy a new caring home? I am afraid to keep him and do him harm by stunting his growth.

How does one sell a fish? I believe him to be friendly (although I have seen him muscle a neon tetra once in awhile during feeding times). He is also pretty inquisitive, I see him swimming around the tank pretty frequently. I can provide a photo (never took a picture of a fish before! ) if someone would like to evaluate him.

Thank you for your help, and great board!

[chefkeith]

That's my neck of the woods. I live near 8 mile and Gratiot.

What LFS did you get the clown from? How big is the clown? I'm not interested acquiring the clown, but maybe I can help. There are many LFS's around are area that might let you trade it in. If it is 4"+ and healthy you should have no problem.

Go ahead and take a picture. Maybe I'll change my mind.

[nroelant]

We are practically neighbors - I am closer to 94. I bought the fish from Greenwoods. I thought it would be a better place than a typical pet store, and from a fish selection and possibly quality standpoint, it probably was. Being new to the hobby, however, I don't know what I don't know yet.

I called Oceans and Seas after my original post this afternoon - they said that if the fish met their standards they would offer me a store credit for half the value of what they would typically sell the fish for. Which would be nice - I could add another fish or two to the tank.

I will try and take a picture of the loach before I leave for Christmas. I would say that it is probably closer to 3 inches long, to the end of the tail fin.

I just want him to go to a tank where he will be appreciated as much as I have appreciated him these last 6 weeks. He is really an interesting fish to watch.

Thanks, I'll post a message once I have the photo.

N

[chefkeith]

Greenwoods was one of the best a few years back, it's not so great anymore. The guy running the place back then opened up his own LFS (Local Fish Store) called Stringray Bay, which is on 9 mile between Gratiot/Kelly across the street from Taco Bell. I get most everything I need from his store. He's a good guy, I went to high school with him at East Detroit, class of 90'. I'm not sure he'd want any fish that came from Greenwoods though.

Oceans and Seas is pretty good. I would of told you to try trading it in over there.

My favorite LFS's are Aquatic Discoveries on 15mile /Ryan and Moby Dicks on Sashabaw Rd, which is in Waterford. Both of these are excellent stores and are worth the trip if your looking for hard to find freshwater fish.

[nroelant]

Wow, thanks for the recommendations. Stingray Bay is so close I think I will pop in and peer in the tanks.

I took another look at the loach and he is still pretty small, not quite 3 inches nose to the end of the fin. My tank is not very full - 4 smallish guppies, two tetras and two small zebra danios.

I think I will wait until after the New Year and then start contacting these stores. I don't mind a store credit, if I do find someone to take him I would want to stock my tank with another type of fish.

I did try photographing him this evening - but as soon as the camera came out he went into his favorite den. Must be camera shy . I'll try to get a photo of him to share, I think he is very pretty fish.

The fact that he has survived living under my care speaks wonders for his heartiness. Or his will to survive

Thanks again, especially for your prompt posts.

[Tery]

what size tank do you have? I've got 3 clowns right now waiting for me to finish the stand for my 125 gallon. If you can keep him until i get it up and running I'll buy him from you if you're reasonable.

[nroelant]

Hi Tery,

I have a 30 gal that only has 5 fish in it now, including the loach so I can definitely hold on to the loach for a while longer. I'll try to get a picture, so far my attempts have not been good.

Thanks for the interest. Do you have an anticipated timeframe you may be able to take him?

[Tery]

The first of the month would be the soonest. Or you could keep him until you need to get rid of him.