looking for big clown loches

[lunasmile]

I would like to get lg or xl clown loaches, maybe 1 or two, does anyone know where i can find them??? I am in the philadelphia area...thank you

[chefkeith]

I suggest you look at aquabid.com-
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/ ... fwcatfishl

The Fishery of Lousiville imports some excellent 4" clowns and will occasionally get some 6" clowns thrown in.
http://africancichlidsforsale.com/
http://www.africancichlidsforsale.com/clown/wild.html

I got clowns from them before. I don't think the larger 6" wild clown loaches acclimate very well to tank environments. Mine got real skinny after awhile probably because they had internal parasitic worms and weren't eating. So be sure to deworm the clowns when you get them and be sure that they are eating well. You may have to feed them live foods such as bloodworms, which is something I didn't do (because I'm allergic to them). I've had no problems with the 4" clowns though. I think they sell the 4" clowns for $20 each and the bigger clowns for $40. Shipping is about $50- $80 for FedEx Overnight.

There was also another seller at Aquabid selling huge 12" clowns, but they are located in Thailand. Here's their links-

http://www.wasanbetta.net/wasanbetta/in ... &Itemid=49
http://www.wasanbetta.net/otherfishgallery/48321.jpg

I think they wanted $400 for the clown + $140 for shipping into the United States.

[shari2]

From what I understand there is a size limit on legal exportation of clowns. Don't remember what it is, however. I do know it's smaller than 12"

Can I ask why you are looking for larger clowns?

[chefkeith]

Yes, the legal size for exportation in Indonesia (Bornea/Sumutra) is under 4 inches/ 10cm. This ban doesn't apply to Bangkok, Thailand though. It doesn't apply to the exporters in Singapore or Hong Kong either.

Here's a link to another clown loach exporter in Singapore-
http://www.gardenfishfarm.com/index.htm
http://www.gardenfishfarm.com/images/loach.jpg

[chris1932]

I am with Shari, Why so big. I just saw a very nice 10" or so Clown at Tonys tropical fish in York Pa. Mabey two hours or so from Philly. I posted an article http://www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/biodiversitii ... _more.html About clowns and their collection.

If you look around or contact Lancaster Aquarium Club there are always some bigger ones up for adoption.

Chris