CL in a 55g tank?

[franchise513]

how long could a school of about 4 clown loaches last in a 55g tank?

I was going to setup a kind of SA tank, with a green terror a couple of gold servums, and a few dithers, like some barb of some type. I was going to have some clown loaches in there, as a bottom dweller and a nice active addition to my tank.

In the future (Im gunning for april) I will have a big 180g with some other SA cichlids and they will be able to live in there when i get it.

So how long could they live in there before they need an upgrade, will that be enough time?

And what is there diet i heard just like fruit, like i just saw bananas, and zucchini is that sufficent?

thanks any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[ewurm]

Depends on the growth rate you are looking for and your water change schedule. 1-2 years.

 

[Lupin]

Stick to sevs for now. Forget the GT. Your tank is not that spacious enough to provide more room for the GT.

 

[Muske]

GT I've had in the past can be hit or miss w/their temperment. some are fairly mellow, and others have been terrors. Pun intensional.

 

[franchise513]

ya i no, its a growout till my 75g is open for the green terror and he is only about 2" right now, the clown loaches would be about 3-4" and the sevs about 3"

 

[mssassysan2000]

I'd say until they get about five to six inches.

 

[Muske]

3-4" should be OK in the 180. Up the numbers a little so they feel more secure.

 

[ckk125]

i have a 11 incher in a 55 gallon....hospital tank...

But honestly, a 55 gallon tank can hold them up to 7 inches and if beyond, you'll be able to see loaches with bruised nose.

 

[FSM]

I would love to see a picture of an 11 inch clown loach.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

Loaches grow slow even with the best of care. I bought 6 Clown Loaches exactly a year ago, they're great eaters and I feed them pretty much everything, nitrates well below 10 ppm always. The little buggers have only grown 1/2" the past 12 months. My 4"-6" Loaches have grown about an inch in 6 months though. Maybe it's genetics? Or maybe the bigger they get the faster they grow. You should be fine with 4 in a 55 g. I do think also that 2 Sevs and a GT in a 55 gal is asking for trouble, there's not enough room.