Clowns Chancing Goldfish

[Cocobid]

Hi I have never posted here before but I have a clown question.
I have kept aquariums since the early 70's love the hobby.

Here is what is going on
In our 50cube we have 4 GF 3 with orange colors 1 not, some Kuhli's & 2 clown loaches, RL Pleco.

One of the clowns has been chasing around the orange colored GF, almost insanely. Last night I pulled both Clowns in a large net that is floating on top.
Ok what to do? What is causing this? They are about 31/2" long. Mating? This has been going of 2-3 weeks but it has rapidly increased. Felt like I was watching an Indi car race in there
Water quality is perfect. This just came out of nowhere. Love my Kuhli's have them in all my tanks hard to find but I keep them in groups of 6 or so.

Help!

Karen/Cocobid
_________________

[Rocco]

I think it may be the number of clown loaches you have. If you look the clown loach profile written by the LOL moderation team by clicking here

You'll see that 5 clown loaches is the absolute recommended minimum to keep together.

I'm not as experienced as some so I'll wait to see if corrections are to be made or information is to be added.

*edited to give credit where credit is due.

[Emma Turner]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to Loaches Online.

Could you tell us what temperature you are maintaining this tank at? Goldfish and tropical loaches such as clowns are not a good mix. This is not only because of their different temperature requirements (higher temps speed up the metabolism of the goldfish) but also goldfish tend not to enjoy the same fast flowing environments that clown loaches should be kept in. The tank is also on the small side, and in a confined space with not many of their own kind, the clown loaches (which are naturally inquisitive) may be focussing on the other fish in the tank. Keeping them in a net will be causing immense stress. Ideally, you need to rehome these fish into separate larger tanks. The kuhlis also need a tank separate from your clowns and goldfish.

Emma

(P.S. Rocco, that profile was put together by most of the moderation team, not just me!)

[Rocco]

(P.S. Rocco, that profile was put together by most of the moderation team, not just me!)

My apologies to the moderation team.

[Blue]

Ok what to do? What is causing this? They are about 31/2" long. Mating?

Clowns and goldfish don't mate. As Emma said, tropicals and coldwater don't mix. Neither is fast-moving fish and slow-moving fish where the latter will not like boisterous activities by the former.

I would reiterate Emma's advice for the kuhlis as well.

Water quality is perfect.

It would be best if we know what exactly are the water parameters. Comments alone are insufficient.

[Cocobid]

Oh Thank You for all you advise.

I will re home the Clowns. All of my tanks have Eheim 2028 and Large Aqua-Clear's they have sand/gravel/plant islands for the Kuhlie's. This particular(temp 78.3) tank has a large hollowed our piece of synthetic wood that I have flow holes and a large entrance hole. At night they both go in for the evening. Will try to find a good home here is Fort Worth, is there anyone here that lives in FW??

Thank YOU,
Karen/Cocobid