Loaches Online Forum

Hi, the Denton, TX local fish store has two big loaches for sale, probably 5 inches maybe more. $28 each. They have been there at least a month. For some reason, I think there may have been three but not sure. It is a pretty crowded tank. One is very active, and not scared. The other is sitting at the bottom of the tank and not moving much, moves but not real active. Don't blame him. Tank is crowded. Doesn't look sick or anything. I would get them but I have been told I really wouldn't be able to put in the bably loaches with them when I get those :(

LFS recommended getting all 7 about the same size and at once.

Fish & Chirps is the store. (940) 382-2422

Nice looking, healthy looking loaches.

PitterPatti wrote: I would get them but I have been told I really wouldn't be able to put in the bably loaches with them when I get those

I really don't believe this is true. Clowns don't normally have problems with other clowns of any size.

Best to wait for the definitive word from Emma, but if you can provide these two with suitable conditions, consider grabbing them. And then supplementing them with 2"+ babies, these are much hardier than 1.5".

Yes, the store are talking absolute rubbish. Clown loaches will accept more of their own kind of any size, there is no danger at all. Also, as long as you start off with a good sized group, and you have the space/filtration, there is no problem with adding more specimens at a later date too (but quarantine first).

Emma

hmmmm. they sure are cute. I really liked my tank, with the baby sharks, and guppies and baby loaches before the ich struck.

But now, I have gotten a "male guppy tank" and then I want fun, playful fish in the Loach tank so the loaches can play etc. Not sure what to get yet, if you all have suggestions.

Barbs? red, light one, and dark striped ones?

I know my previous loaches, well the smallest ones would go up and down the sides with the guppies and sharks.......just a playing......

I want to have that again, just don't want the sharks and guppies don't mix with anything else much.......

thanks
Patti

PitterPatti wrote: Not sure what to get yet, if you all have suggestions.

Barbs? red, light one, and dark striped ones?

One choice, but there are many suitable SE Asian cyprinids.

I personally prefer Danio's over others. Larger Rasboras should be a great choice too, but they are hard to find. Many people use Rainbows. Among the Barbs, I find Odessa's to be the most attractive (and interesting), but make sure you have a balanced group of them, otherwise it may get bloody.

The easy and cheap choice is Giant Danios.

hth

i put my babies with my larger loaches. they all love eachother to death!

ummm I have not seen any were in the original post that they were clown loaches.
get them if they are large clowns (and you want them).
Some large loaches are mean (eos, mods etc...)

Yep, they are clown loaches........

they are not mean to the other big fish.......but that doesn't mean won't be to little fish.....hmmmm.

I guess I need to be sure of the LFS on returns....... but I doubt they are mean........

I asked and LFS said not turned in by JQ Public, but purchased specifically for store. Hard to believe.

Patti

get them
they will not be "mean" except at feeding times when all loaches act like PIGS!!!!!!!!

Patti,

I have clowns that range from 3" up to 12" and the larger fish don't bother smaller fish at all. This includes fry from my Mascara Barbs (Puntius filamentosus). Clown loaches are gentle giants.

Having said all this, unless your tank is very mature (several months), I wouldn't advise on adding any clown loaches just yet.

Emma

If you don't get them, then I'm driving my butt back up to UNT to get them

Hi, there is one big loach left. Someone got one of the two.

I am not going to get him. :( The LFS is ordering smaller ones, hopefully will come in this next week.

Fish N Chirps in Denton. He wants $29 or was it $30 for the bigger one though.


Patti

Baby was so lonely, sitting in the bottom left front corner in that tiny quarium, tight in the corner, not playing anymore, no other clown loaches anymore....... amongst the eels and tons of others in that small tank.

His two buddies were gone.......weeks now.

Well, he is at home now, with a family of six other loaches who are 2 inches only. I really gambled but nothing had been added to this tank at the LFS for a couple of months and I put him in my tank yesterday.

He is so happy! no longer sad.... and gets along well with the others. When they start "schoaling" is it, he doesn't quite know what to do but gets on the end......then he ends up towards the front. Very NOT pushy, very gentle giant, like Emma says............


The others just aren't sure about his size yet, like he is clumsy or they are getting used to his size. But they like him.

Thanks everyone for encouraging me to go ahead.

Only thing is now, I can see I am going to have to upgrade much sooner. The pictures don't really show how much bigger he is, and just big, the biggest fish I have had....cute! I would like to get another inbetween his size the the 2 inch ones, but that is just too many.....

I think I am going to put the guppies in a 30, now that I am totally in love with these loaches and go ahead and make the 55 gallon a loach tank too........ I think the 75 is about maxed with these clowns and I wanted other loaches too, dwarfs, etc.

Boy, things can sure change quickly!

Can anyone tell if Baby is a boy or girl?
Patti

Couldn't figure out where to put the pictures.

Here is the temporary link :wink:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/pet/364658431.html

:lol:

Patti

Hi Patti,

Unfortunately your photo link isn't working. Have you had a read of this? http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=5 You just need to upload the pics to a photo hosting website, then you can add the img links into the forum.

It is unlikely that we'll be able to sex your clown as 5" is still a small size for these fish, and may not have been in the best conditions at the store. Once you've had him/her for a while and have provided good conditions and feedings, and the fish has grown some more, it may be easier to hazard an educated guess.

Good luck and hope you manage to upgrade to a bigger tank soon.

Emma