Loaches Online Forum

Hi guys, new member here. I was considering getting some Clown Loaches to finish filling up my tank, but i'm unsure of how many my tank can support. The current community consists of a pair of long-finned leopard danios, a female betta, 1 transparent knife, 2 long-tailed guppies, a catfish (Forget the species, has spots and whiskers about the same length as his body ), and my favorites, a pair of golden dojo loaches. I was just wondering how many clowns I could fit in without causing any problems.

Sorry, forgot to mention its a 45g.

Hi Felhad and welcome to LOL. As I'm sure you realize this is primarily a Loach site so we always focus upon conditions in a given aquarium being ideal for loaches. We almost all keep other fish too so the consideration of what mixes with what is important.
I don't know what advice you may have been given about your current mix but here's some home truths about what you currently have.

Firstly, the golden Dojo Loaches. Dojos are really cold-water species so should not be mixed with tropicals. Read the info here, plus the "Related content" piece linked at the bottom of that page:

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/we ... licaudatus

Right starting with your other current fish.

Long-finned Leopard Danios - these are ok but do best in a shoal of at least 5 or 6. They like water current, plus lower temperatures than Clown Loaches.

Female betta - Bettas are still water fish and won't appreciate a tank suitable for Clown Loaches.

1 transparent knife - These are again a shoaling species and should not be kept alone.

2 long-tailed guppies - Ok, but will not appreciate current.

1 Spotted catfish - This sounds like a Pimelodus pictus....this?

Again, this is a shoaling fish that absolutely do best in a group. It poses a serious risk to the Danios and Guppies as it grows because it will eat them. They are very voracious fish.

So basically you have a group of fish which are incompatible, plus being incompatible with Clown Loaches. Clowns like far warmer temperatures than most of these fish as well. Read the profile and look at the adult size.

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

Clowns MUST be kept in a group and the minimum recommended size is a 55 gallon tank which will only provide temporary housing until they grow some.

Martin.

Thank you very much for the informative reply, I guess instead of the clowns i'll just try to stock up on a few more of my other types.

Martin Thoene wrote:
Clowns MUST be kept in a group and the minimum recommended size is a 55 gallon tank which will only provide temporary housing until they grow some.

Martin.

I was under impression, that minimum even for juvenile clowns is 75 gallons ( article about Chromobotia macracanthus ) ?

I guess that's a case of what you consider "juvenile". Personally, I think that once a group of Clowns get over about 3" then yes a 75 would be the minimum. It all depends on how many you actually have of course. Also, the actual dimensions/proportions of the aquarium have more of an effect than the actual capacity.

Martin.