A group of these Loaches should be kept in a minimum 75 gallon aquarium as juveniles. Other good tank mates for this species would be other bottom-dwelling fish such as Kuhli Loach , Bristlenose Pleco , and the Borneo Sucking Loach.
Species of Cichlids can also be kept with Clown Loach providing they are non-aggressive and share roughly the same water parameters. A good invertebrate tank mate would be species of freshwater lobster or crayfish like the Blue Lobster and even freshwater crabs like the Red-Clawed Crab providing they are kept in a paludarium as it is not a fully aquatic species. It is highly recommended that these fish are kept in social groups due to their pack mentality. Being kept on their own will cause them to become shy and they will spend most of their time hiding.
Being kept in groups of 5 or more will cause a dramatic shift in their behavior causing them to become extremely active in the mid and lower levels of the tank. As with most species of Loach, they are extremely susceptible to Ich also known as White Spot Disease.
This is an ectoparasite that burrows into the gills and skin of fish and can also lead to fungal and bacterial infections. Loaches are usually the first fish to become infected due to them not having scales. It can be extremely hard to spot during the early stages, but as it progresses you will notice your fish scratching against the sediment and ornaments. Once identified, fish should be removed from the aquarium and placed in a separate quarantine tank for a month or so.
Whilst in quarantine fish should be treated for Ich using chemicals like Copper sulphate or Formalin-based medications. Remember good water quality is essential for Clown Loach, so be sure to keep on top of all weekly water changes and tests, as this fish is sensitive to nitrates.
In the wild, this omnivorous species feeds on invertebrates like worms, crustaceans, and small water-dwelling snails. In addition, they also feed on decaying plant matter and algae.
You should feed them a mixed diet of sinking shrimp pellets and algae wafers. They will also do a great job of eating any leftover fish flakes which sink to the bottom of the tank. Frozen foods like shrimp and blood worms will support the healthy growth of the fish but should only be fed a few times a week.
Live foods like bloodworms, earthworms, and small shrimp are considered a delicacy to Clown Loach and should be fed once a week as a treat. You could set up a separate smaller tank and begin breeding snails as live food for your Loach which we are sure they would greatly appreciate. If not, snails are readily available at local fish stores or can be purchased online and delivered to your door. First, you must find a sexually mature pair around 6 inches in length.
Keep them in separate tanks for a few weeks and feed them highly nutritious foods. Females will appear to have a larger width during this period indicating the production of roe.
When the female appears larger, the male and female should be placed in an aquarium with lots of plants and excellent water quality. A water temperature of When the female has released her eggs and the male has fertilized them, the male and female should be removed to avoid them eating the eggs. If successfully hatched, the tiny fry can be fed live cultivated infusoria.
As they begin to grow, they should be moved onto baby brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and even ground-up fish flake food. Clown Loach is an extremely social species and would make a great addition to any community tank.
They are best kept by people with previous fish keeping experience, due to the fact they are more susceptible to diseases than other aquarium fish.
You will notice they enjoy spending most of their time in the lower levels of the aquarium, eating leftover foods. They are like a pack of aquarium puppy dogs, chasing and playing with one another throughout the day. These fish are so much fun and are sure to have you jumping for joy if you decide they are the fish for you. I did have some trouble with them, mostly because mine always were very frightened of everything. I have a question. Can you keep Silver Dollar fish and Gouramis in the same tank.
I have a very large square tank that I am going to put the Dollars in, together with Clown fish and would like to put one or two other fish in with them as well. What do you recommend. When keeping species that live in fast-moving streams, add smooth pebbles and rocks, and provide moderate to strong flow to simulate their natural habitat. Many loaches are secretive, so caves, hollow logs and other size-appropriate hiding places should be available in the aquarium.
With so many species to choose from, no matter what size aquarium or type of fish you own, there is one just right for you.
Most loaches are quite peaceful and do well in community tanks. However, some members of the family Botiidae can become boisterous and may go after smaller or slower moving fish. These species are best kept with larger, more active fish. Always research fish or ask an aquarium expert before purchasing. What Do Loaches Eat? Loaches Breeding Level — Extremely Difficult Very few loaches have been bred in home aquariums, and most accounts are incidental. Download Printable PDF. Care Guide.
Most species live in various parts of Eurasia, but you can also find some in northern Africa. Though some vary from the norm, most species have omnivorous diets, which means that they eat both plant and animal matter.
Their most common foraging strategy is scavenging, or eating things that are already dead. Some also feed on tiny shrimp and crustaceans, insect larvae, snails, and more. Most eat just about anything that they find, and have opportunistic foraging habits. Humans utilize different species in different fashions. Some people keep these fish as pets, with the Kuhli, Horseface, and Pond Loach as most common species in aquariums. In regions of eastern Asia some people also eat these fish as food.
They also raise some species for this purpose in fish farms. Human impact on wild populations varies based on the species at hand. Some species have large and stable populations while others face declining populations.
A few species do make good pets. However, you should do your research before adding any animal to the family to ensure you know how to properly care for them. Additionally, you should never purchase an animal captured from the wild, as they can spread disease to your other fish and deplete native populations. Different species have slightly different care needs. However, most do not reach large sizes, so you do not need an excessively large tank to house them.
You should provide them with sand or gravel substrate that they can burrow into when frightened, and a variety of hiding places like branches or logs.
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