Questions on Incoming Clown Loaches

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Pazzoman

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2009
3,005
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New York
Hey I thought I have writeen this up a few days ago, I guess it didn't send thru my phone.

Happy Holidays, I should have defintly brought this up before making the following purchases thru liveaquaria:

6- Clown Loaches (1 - 1.5 inches)
11- Tank Raised Rummy Nose
12- Zebra Danios
2-Gold Rams


This is the stock that will be coming in thursday, the tank is a 72 Gallon Bowfront (48 inches x 15 inches x 25 inches). The clown loaches is whats most important to me on this stock list however I should have paid more attention to the size of the loaches then trying to hit the $225 for free shipping (which I did with the help of a cousin.) I have been reading that this size is a horrible size to purchase these loaches....just my luck. The 72 gallon has been properly cycled, able to bring 4ppm of ammonia down to 0 in less then 12 hours. Filteration defintly isn't a problem....Now here are my questions lol

What is the perfect temperature for these loaches? I was thinking of keeping them at 81 degrees for the best interest of the other inhabitants....however I have heard of other members keeping them upwards 85+... Any ideas?

What is the best ph to keep the loaches in, I figured 7 would be best as it's neutral and many members keep thier water at 7....however better to hear it from members who own clown loaches?

What is the best diet at this size? I recently purchased NLS growing formula pellets and the standard sinking NLS Pellets is this a good stable diet or should I bring in more protein as well as veggies like cucumbers? I figured I'd purchase some blood worms, brine shrimp in spriunila (cant spell) and cucumbers. Also will be feeding at least three times a day.

What medicines/addictives to stay away from? I use Prime, Melafix, Pimafix, Neutral Regulator...etc

After acquiring the stock after drip accumulation is their anything else I should add to the water (stress coat, safe guard?)

I heard they are easily stunted, at what size do you think they willl be fine in this tank? I will be upgrading sometime in April to a larger tank with sting rays so upwards of 300 gallons and will have a good surface area. Also I do know they grow very slow after 3-5 inches depending on husbandry.

It would have been best to have a quarentine tank set up, however I feel they will be more stessed in a 10 gallon tank then in the 72 gallon. I do have numerous hideaways and plants that would cover them in case they are scared.

Thanks A Million Happy Holidays! Any tips will be greatly appreciated!
 
Also I purchased these clowns from liveaquaria as I know thier quality is one of the best and Im confident I wont get any sick ones like with the "skinny disease" will post pics once thier here.
 
Clowns will be ok for a while with your bow the length is ok but the width is marginal.They should not have any stunted growth if you move them into a longer wider tank as soon as you have one within the year.
The temp is ok they prefer a lower ph then 7 but i do not recommend altering ph in any way most fish will adapt to your current ph out of the tap and if you do good water exchanges theres lower chance of a ph crash.
Mix your food i cannot stress this factor enough with any tropical fish i use frozen and dry.
I never use anything but prime for de-chlorination and melafix for new additions .
 
Ok thanks so when I place the loaches in the tank I just add the regular amount of dosage of melafix as well as the usual prime. Will be purchasing frozen foods like bloodworms and spinila shrimp mixed in with nls pellets. Any other kinds of frozen food usually accepted?

Thanks is 81 a good temp? Or should it be raised..also would 78 be a problem as thats the temp of another tank that will be getting loaches as well...probably should suggest highing the temp
 
Quit adding anything except Prime. Just feed them NLS (supplement if you feel like it).
Main thing with clowns is to get them settled, comfortable, make sure they don't have external or internal parasites, and get them eating well.

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Hey thanks do you know of the best way to get them settled? I figure I would keep the room dark when opening the container...keeping lights off in the tank...and driping them in. Then I place them in thier and add prime and call it a day. Then the next day I would start off the tank with leds on a timer and feed them. How do you make sure they don't have internal parasites (skinny disease)?

Thanks for your help, I should find the proper deworming medicine so I could feed it to them for a few weeks just to be on the safe side.
 
Pazzoman said:
Ok thanks so when I place the loaches in the tank I just add the regular amount of dosage of melafix as well as the usual prime. Will be purchasing frozen foods like bloodworms and spinila shrimp mixed in with nls pellets. Any other kinds of frozen food usually accepted?

Thanks is 81 a good temp? Or should it be raised..also would 78 be a problem as thats the temp of another tank that will be getting loaches as well...probably should suggest highing the temp
Click to expand...

81 is good just use melafix if you suspect the fish are in poor condition. i use a reg dose for 3 days when adding to a community not necessary if the tank is empty.
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus
 
Clowns require places to hide and a sense of security before they become "clowns".

Prepare a few hiding places, although they will usually pick only one. As for food, bloodworms(I use freeze dried) and sliced zucchinis are great supplements to the pellet brand of your choice.

Always be vigilant about ich...the trouble is, if they get sick, they hide, and when they show themselves, usually it's too late to do anything...




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