Botia, Clowns or nothing?

[belovedone]

Please advise. I have an established (7 years) 65 gallon tank that is in the shape almost of a triangle (it is in a corner). It's current inhabitants are 2 Dojo Loaches, an adult FLying Fox and about 7 to 10 male guppies and about 300 Malaysian Trumpet Snails. I have another 50 gallon that has another Dojo Loach (but he jumps so he has to stay there where I can weight the lid down) and 3 Clown Loaches about 4 to 5 years old. They all like each other and hang out together. I had been thinking of putting the clowns in the 65, but someone told me it would not be big enough for them. SOmeone else told me that Botias would work well in that size tank, but another perosn told me they can be very aggressive. Then it was advised I try Clown Loaches.

So now I don't know what, if anything, to do!!! I do not know enough at this point to make the right decision. Amazingly enough all the loaches I do have are healthy and happy.

[belovedone]

bump

[shari2]

Hi belovedone and welcome to LOL.

How large are your clowns? I'd think that clowns that age should be ok in a 65 for a while.

the larger problem is really that dojo loach needs and clown needs are quite different. If you'd like to look at the species index here is the profile for Misgurnis anguillicaudatus (dojo loach) and Chromobotia macracanthus (clown loach) on the main site. You may have to register to access the profiles but there is lots of helpful info there regarding loachkeeping.

[belovedone]

Thank you for your reply. I did go back and look at care for both loaches, but their needs seem to me to interconnect. They are both more nocturnal than day (is it diurnal or have I got the word wrong?), they both love planted tanks with lots of plants and leaves to lie on and hide around in, they both love cave hiding places, and they are both extremely social fish, as I have found by watching my Dojo with the Clowns and the other two Dojos with each other. They all spend time very close together, except sometimes (the one in the 50)he or she (?) goes up and hangs on the leaves near the top of the tank. I do think some Dojo's prefer a little more light at times than clowns usually do. The ones in my 65 I rarely see unless they think I am not in the room. I am not sure, having read the descriptions and looking at the picture, as to which type the ones I have are. Two are more golden in color and one is silvery grey. If it is the first type of Dojo than they are supposed to need cooloer water, if the second then they need water about the same temp as clowns, if a mixture of the two, I don't know. So i am a little confused as to what the difference in care is supposed to be? I do not understand. They seem to be perfectly happy in the environments they are in. I am at aloss here. If someone can show me what I am not udnerstanding, I would appreciate it, but then what do I do with the fish?

[mikev]

The main difference is the Temperature.

The proper range for the Clowns is higher than for the Dojos. A fish "designed" for a cold climate may be able to manage in warmer water, but in most cases its lifespan will be shortened.

With some fish, a compromise is possible. But with Clowns and Dojos there is really no temperature setting which is ok for both, 75F is the lowest limit for the Clowns, but 68F is about the upper limit for the Dojos.

hth

[shari2]

The main difference is in water temperature and pH preferences. Both M. mizolepis and M. anguillicaudatus prefer much cooler water ( 68 - 75ºF (20 - 23.8ºC) and 50- 68ºF (10 - 20ºC) respectively)--than clowns. Clowns kept in too cool water are quite likely to succumb to ick, or have other stress related problems.

Clowns prefer softer, warmer (78ºF to 83ºF (25-30°C)) water. Keeping any fish in temps that are much higher or lower than their normal range is not good in the long term. What temp is your tank currently running at? Does it vary much?

Given that you're not sure whether you have one, or the other, or both types of dojos, maybe you could post a pic and see if we can help.

[belovedone]

Thank you Shari. I will try to figure out the pictrure thing after Christmas. I am not sure how to go about that and my playte is a little full right now. Due to relatives and all. My tanks are all about 72 to 75 degreees and the PH is as it comes out of the tap. I have hard water here. I have never had ich (knock on wood) altho I have had occasional problems with the guppies from population explosion. Now I am worried about the loaches!

[shari2]

Don't worry. You've done well by them this far. They'll make it through the holidays.

May yours be merry!