Shy Clowns

[downwiththepc27]

I know that clown loaches will tend to be shy but I have two questions about mine. First of all, they have been hiding ever since I got them about a week ago, except for right before and after I turn off the light. Also, I have noticed that they all seem to have very faded colors. Is it normal for all of the loaches to be so faded? They were bright when I got them.

[Mark in Vancouver]

I'm just shifting this thread into the loach forum.

It would be helpful to know how many loaches you got, how big the tank is, what the lighting is like, and how much shelter they have. Also, are they eating? Do they appear to be breathing normally?

They can take a while to settle in, but if the tank is brightly lit or in a high-traffic area in your house, they may just be hiding out. Mornings and evenings are the usual time to see the most action from them, though.

Tell us about the tank, if you don't mind.

[downwiththepc27]

I have 3 small loaches (less than 2 inches) in a 20 gallon tank for now. The lighting is just a single fluorescent tube. I feed them 2 sinking carnivore wafers a day, and they eat it once I turn the light off. There is one hollow piece of driftwood that they almost always all hide inside of, and then another peice of driftwood and some pvc pipe. Would hiding/stress cause the color to fade?