Wow, I don't think I know what I had gotten myself into

[tinfoil]

Good day folks, a fine forum you have here.

About two months ago my final Cichlid passed away, a Jack Dempsey who I had had for years and grown to a good 10"-12". For years I really have only had experience with cichlids and oscars (I know, related but still not the same) and decided that after giving the tank a thorough cleaning I would try something else, something that was a little livlier and, well, smaller.

I went to my LFS and asked him what he recomended and among the things he sold me were a couple clowns which I'm quite smitten with. They really are cool and planned on getting some more. I happened on your site while looking for other species that may go well when I read that:

A) these things get quite large
B) these things are really quite sociable

So, I see that it is recomended to get a good 4-6 and to give them about 75 gallons. Well, I have only 55 (along with the necessary filtration and filters from the cichlids, boy were those things picky!) and am wondering if I have the room for more? Should they all be the same species or can I mix and match? I saw some "red-finned Loach, Blue Botia, Redtail Botia" that I would also love to have.

Also in the tank are 4 tiger barbs and a couple pearl gouramis, which are also really cool. Did I bite off more than I can fit into this tank? I local guy didn't mention anything about the size, but I think that he was under the impression that I knew what I was talking about since I had been going there for years.

Last question, I notice that one (or both?) of the loaches will sometimes loose some colour in its black stripes, going a kind of grey. Checking in a couple minutes later shows that the colour has returned just fine.

TIA

[worldrallynut]

Clowns will be ok in there for a short while but will eventually need a larger tank. Keep in mind that while a 55gal is 4' long, it is still only 1' wide, which happens to be the length (if not smaller than the length) that these guys can attain.

Whenever a question about tossing a larger fish in a small tank came up at my store I always used to offer this...
If you locked an elephant in the closet because he fit now, he is still an elephant. To put it another way, if I locked you in a jail cell, I could still keep you clean, feed you, give you water, and keep you alive for a very long time. Would you be happy?

I would plan on moving these guys to a larger tank when they start to grow. As far as the other botias, is this the botia you were referring to?

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ya ... ia-modesta

Anyways, I am glad that you found this site. The people here are extremely knowledgable and helpful.

Lastly, Keep asking questions!!!!! A stupid question is better than a stupid mistake, and it is always better to get a second opinion.

[shari2]

So, I see that it is recomended to get a good 4-6 and to give them about 75 gallons. Well, I have only 55

I think a 55 will do for a while. Others who have much larger specimens than I do will say you will need to upgrade, and you will, if you keep them healthy long-term.

Should they all be the same species or can I mix and match? I saw some "red-finned Loach, Blue Botia, Redtail Botia" that I would also love to have.

Modestas can be quite agressive fish, and will also become large (not as large as full-grown clowns). If you want a decent sized group of clowns, you won't have room for modestas, too. Plus, they are terrorists.

Also in the tank are 4 tiger barbs and a couple pearl gouramis, which are also really cool.

I know there are several people on this forum who keep clowns with tiger barbs. The gouramis may not like the barbs, however.

Last question, I notice that one (or both?) of the loaches will sometimes loose some colour in its black stripes, going a kind of grey. Checking in a couple minutes later shows that the colour has returned just fine.

Clowns and other botia species will 'grey out' periodically. Usually in response to some type of pecking order issues, like who's top loach, who gets the food, who gets the best hiding place...it is normal.

[tinfoil]

Thanks for the replies Shari & WRN. It is my plan to upgrade sometime in the coming year, so everything should be fine. I'll take the 55 and turn it into salt water, perhaps.

[Martin Thoene]

High tinfoil......Not sure which info you read, so take a look here:

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

And read all the articles that are linked at the bottom of the page. This will give you a broad overview of EXACTLY what you got into

Martin.

[cybermeez]

It is my plan to upgrade sometime in the coming year, so everything should be fine. I'll take the 55 and turn it into salt water, perhaps.

Oh boy, now you're really in trouble.

That's how it started for me. I loved, adored and nurtured my Clowns and they became big, fat and happy. So, I upgraded them from a 75 to a nice, big 150g. That left me with an empty 75.

What to do.....what to do.

Now I have my big Loach tank and a reef tank. This hobby is more addictive than crack.

[worldrallynut]

Now I have my big Loach tank and a reef tank. This hobby is more addictive than crack.

Crack is cheaper

[tinfoil]

Oh, I've cut way back in recent years. At one point I had over 500 gallons worth of tanks, all cichlids, oscars and plecos.

Then I bought a house and tinfoil 2.0 came along.