clown loach jumming/swimming in filter

[keremr2]

I have a clown loach that I thought had jumped out of my tank because I could not find it. Then it would be back and then misssing again. Then I sat and watched it one day and it jumping/swimming in my filter of my tanks and swims around in there it seames happy there. So do i let it say in there when it goes in there or do i Stop it from going in the filter? IF I should stop it who should it go about it? Why would it want to go in there? THis is the first time I have had a clown loach.

[Emma Turner]

Hi keremr2, and welcome to Loaches Online.

Could you tell us a little more about the tank, such as size, what type of filter, how long the tank has been set up for? Also, do you know what your current water parameters are and do you have any powerheads to create good flow and a high O2 level? What other fish are in the tank?

From your post, it sounds as though you have only one clown loach. These are incredibly social creatures that really must be kept in large groups for their continued wellbeing. I'd consider 5 to be an absolute minimum.

Emma

[keremr2]

I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 sward talesand 3 starter fish I had some mollies but the sword tales killed them off. I also have a Temminckii plecostomus. I also have live plants. I am planning on getting more fish but right now if have a case of ick with my loach so yah does that help. I was thinking of getting one or two more clown loaches do you think that will help?

[Emma Turner]

You may not want to hear this, but a 10 gallon tank is far too small for loaches - even for the smaller species - let alone clown loaches which are one of the giants of the family and can attain 12" (30cm) +. Creating good, stable conditions for these shoaling river dwelling fish is not possible in such a confined space. The store really should have asked questions and advised against the purchase. Your loach is probably trying to hide in the filter for a combination of reasons: it is without high enough water flow and oxygenation, without enough swimming space/hiding places (and so stressed), and is lonely. The best thing you can do for this fish is to return it to the store, and whilst you are at it, give them a telling off for selling it for an unsuitable tank. Then if you have your heart set on keeping clown loaches in the future, you can set up an appropriately sized tank in your own time without rushing into it. Here is our profile on the species, which if you have a read through, will tell you the conditions they require: http://www.loaches.com/species-index/cl ... cracanthus

Hope this helps,

Emma

[Emma Turner]

Sorry, just re-read your reply. Does your clown loach have ich? If so, are you medicating? If you are, what with and are you using it at a dose suitable for loaches/'scaleless' fish? You need to increase aeration in that tank as soon as you can as the ich will be compromising its breathing. Could you also tell us what temperature the water is.

Emma

[keremr2]

Well my loach took a wrong and sad jump on monday when I was at work he jumped and missed the filter and died so sad he was a verry nice looking fish. thanks for all of you help with loaches.