Would smaller clown loaches go well with larger ones?

[ey]

I've got 5 clown loaches in my 300L community tank, they range from 4-6 cm.

Other fish include 5 yoyos and tetras. I do understand clowns can potentially reach 12", but this would take a few years and I do plan to upgrade to a 650L when the time comes.

I was thinking of adding 2-3 juvenile clowns that are about 2-3 cm each. The bigger ones actually look a lot bigger because they are more plump, despite only being a bit longer in length.

My question is would the smaller clowns fit into the clown family or would they be alienated and picked on from the bigger clowns? I understand that there is usually a pecking order with clown loaches, but how would it work when you have much smaller clowns joining the group? Or would I be better off adding 1 or 2 more clown loach that is the same size as the current batch?

Thanks for reading, suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers!

[Emma Turner]

There should be no problems adding smaller Clowns to your shoal of larger ones. The larger Alpha loach will not see them as a threat to the pecking order and will not pick on them. Just make sure you upgrade you tank before 'the time comes' so as not to stunt their growth.

Hope this helps,

Emma

[ey]

Thanks a lot Emma! It would be awesome to one day have a nice big happy clown loach family like your tank!

How would I be able to tell when the time comes (or when its about time) to upgrade the tank? At the moment, the (largest) alpha loach is about 6cm, so the loaches aren't that big yet.

[Emma Turner]

Thank you, ey!

Your loaches are still very small, but there will come a time when you realise that they are getting to a size when they need more swimming space. They become very powerful fish, and when you think that their ability to swim very quickly from one end of the tank to the other is starting to become a little compromised, you need to give them more room. If you keep up good water quality and have an excellent maintenance/feeding regime, this may happen sooner than you think! Good luck,

Emma

[poeticpyro]

i haven't had problems adding smaller clowns in with bigger ones as well, and hey emma's amazing at giving information, so definately take it, even if it upsets you a little to think about needing a larger tank.

[ey]

Thank you, ey!

Your loaches are still very small, but there will come a time when you realise that they are getting to a size when they need more swimming space. They become very powerful fish, and when you think that their ability to swim very quickly from one end of the tank to the other is starting to become a little compromised, you need to give them more room. If you keep up good water quality and have an excellent maintenance/feeding regime, this may happen sooner than you think! Good luck,

Emma

Thanks for the reply! I'll keep those pointers in mind. Sounds like it should be fairly straight forward to tell when the time comes to upgrade, definitely wouldn't want to stunt their growth.

I think I've read somewhere on the forum that clown loaches normally grow at about 1" per year (give or take) - is this accurate for most clowns? Or would good water quality and an excellent maintenance/feeding regime help the clowns grow even quicker?

If you dont mind me asking, how often do you feed your clown loaches? At the moment, I'm feeding them twice daily, I try to vary what I feed them between granules and flakes, and feed them frozen bloodworms 3-4 times a week and brine shrimp once a week - is this too much feeding? I'm beginning to consider feeding them less, as nitrates are starting to creep up, even though I am still doing 20% water changes twice a week.

I've read lots of different opinions on the forums in regards to feeding frequency but still am unsure as to how much to feed as I am fairly new to aquaria myself! You have so many healthy and beautfiul looking clowns, so I'm sure I wont do any harm to my loaches if I fed them at a similar pattern/frequency as you do!

[ey]

i haven't had problems adding smaller clowns in with bigger ones as well, and hey emma's amazing at giving information, so definately take it, even if it upsets you a little to think about needing a larger tank.

Thanks pyro. Yes, its always easy to find reasons of getting a new tank! LOL

[poeticpyro]

yeah i feel your pain. i started with a 30 gallon tank and now i'm cycling a 125 gallon and a 180 gallon...

[MaryJ]

I think it`s so sweet how larger clowns take to the new "babies ". I had 4 clowns 3"-4" and added 2 tiny 1 1/2" juvis I rescued from a sure death. After treating for ick one died. when the other recovered it went in with the big guys.The larger ones snuggled the juvis. They kept it close to a flower pot ithey hid in as if they were protecting the little ones. I honestly feel they`re very caring fish. Does that sound weird?

[mamaschild]

I too have added smaller clowns, but I've also added my biggest to the group. No problems either way. Very social caring fish

I just have to share this pic, since it fits with the conversation. I love this one
http://www.tropicalfishgallery.com/phot ... 117&pos=10

[Emma Turner]

I think I've read somewhere on the forum that clown loaches normally grow at about 1" per year (give or take) - is this accurate for most clowns? Or would good water quality and an excellent maintenance/feeding regime help the clowns grow even quicker?

That is a bit of a vague generalisation, as growth rate very much depends on the circumstances that the fish are kept in. A large aquarium, frequent partial water changes, a good varied diet etc, will see them grow much more quickly - probably as nature intended. Growth rate is more noticeable in smaller sized Clowns - when they get to around 6-7", the growth rate seems to slow down somewhat. Also, remember that Clowns increase in girth and height, as well as length.

If you dont mind me asking, how often do you feed your clown loaches? At the moment, I'm feeding them twice daily, I try to vary what I feed them between granules and flakes, and feed them frozen bloodworms 3-4 times a week and brine shrimp once a week - is this too much feeding? I'm beginning to consider feeding them less, as nitrates are starting to creep up, even though I am still doing 20% water changes twice a week.

Our Clowns usually get fed once a day, and this is always during the evening, when the blue moon lighting is on, and they are at their most active. We tend to alternate with various dried foods one day, then frozen the next. Typical dried foods would be various sized Catfish pellets by JMC (which they adore), Tetra Prima, Tetra Treats, algae wafers, and although we put flake in for the barbs, the Clowns aren't interested in it. Frozen foods we use are: white mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, krill, chopped cockles, and chopped prawns (which I usually buy fresh from the supermarket and chop and freeze myself). The prawns are undoubtedly their favourite food. Then once a week we try and give them slices of cucumber, which they all enjoy.

I've read lots of different opinions on the forums in regards to feeding frequency but still am unsure as to how much to feed as I am fairly new to aquaria myself! You have so many healthy and beautfiul looking clowns, so I'm sure I wont do any harm to my loaches if I fed them at a similar pattern/frequency as you do!

Everyone will have a different opinion on this, but if you unsure, it is better to underfeed than overfeed! Remember that my tank has a ridiculous amount of filtration on it (2 x Eheim Professional 3's - which I think hold almost 25 litres each - plus an Eheim breather filter), and we do a lot of water changes, which is why we are ok feeding the amount that we do. Small fish do generally require more intensive feeding, but this has to be carefully balanced in the confines of an aquarium. I would think that you are fine to carry on as you are, and keep an eye on your nitrates. If they start to increase further, you may want to cut back the amount you feed very slightly (whilst obviously keeping up with the water changes).

Hope this helps,

Emma