Clown Loach Behavior

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AtomBat

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 26, 2008
121
1
0
Providence, RI
I own a 55gal planted tank, I had a 3' clown loach in there, he has been in there by himself for a few weeks(lost the other ones i bought). Overtime he seemed to make a home in a piece of driftwood that I have. It spent almost ALL its time in there, and come to find out it was going into a small size hollowed out "room" in the driftwood.

I just bought 3 more loaches and i also bought some java fern, today I clogged the holes in the driftwood with the java fern so now there is no way into this "room" inside the driftwood.

I was wondering if I am doing harm by clogging the driftwood, did the loach make a home in the driftwood and should I let it access this area in the driftwood? Soon it probly won't fit inside the hole but he does seem to be swimming around the driftwood trying to find a way back in.

Should I let it access this area or keep it blocked up?
 
My biggest concern here is when the loach becomes trapped inside the hole as it grows and will freak out thus stressed to death if it fails to come out.
 
My thought exactly, it already seemed to be struggling to get in and out, now it can't get into the driftwood at all.

Also can anyone tell me what kind of snails clown loaches prefer to eat?
 
Pouch snails and ramshorns. MTS are often ignored due to the shell structure preventing most clown loaches from consuming them. Botiine loaches with a more elongated snout are more versatile at consuming MTS such as the Syncrossus helodes.
 
My loaches will eat any type of snails, I can't keep any in the tank. With the MTS, the seem to break open the shells if they can't just suck them out.
 
ewurm;2889735; said:
My loaches will eat any type of snails, I can't keep any in the tank. With the MTS, the seem to break open the shells if they can't just suck them out.
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Wurm, I have never seen loaches capable of crushing such a hard shell, how much more some puffers can. However, MTS do have an operculum (trapdoor) which enables them to block any possible predation but it's possible for some predators to pry those off. Snail kites have beaks that even allow them to remove the operculum and eat the insides of the apple snails. Just something to consider.
 
Thanks for the input,I am trying to make a nice easy maintained system for my planted 55. I am going to go to another lfs tomorrow. Went to a few today, with no luck on ANY snails...:confused: Tried one of my favorite shops and they were closed today!
 
my clowns eat all snails including MTS. i have a layer of snail shells covering my substrate to prove this.
 
u should clog the hole so incase u clean the tank he don't dash out and injury him self. LOL snail are the loaches best food.
 
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