Clown Loach Fighting

[Coolboy55]

I lost a clown loach today. He jumped out and I found him on the floor today with both eyes missing.

He often fought with the alpha loach and I'm wondering if his eyes were eaten by the alpha and then he jumped out in panic. The 5 remaining loaches often fight as well, and just today I saw a 3-way fight between the three largest loaches. They seem to fight most after feeding.

I guess I'm concerned about the fighting as they sometimes get scratches and torn fins, and now there was a casualty. Do you guys have experience with this? Should I feed more? Less? Any ideas to help with the fighting?

Thanks!

CB55

 

[mshill90]

How many loaches do you have, and how big are they?

 

[sao870]

yea and what size tank?

 

[Johnnybravo60025]

It looks like he has 6 CLs in a 40 gallon. At least that's what his Tank Setup says.

 

[mshill90]

It looks like he has 6 CLs in a 40 gallon. At least that's what his Tank Setup says.

That could be the reason. They need a 55 gallon minimum, and with everything else in there, they are probably cramped and pissed off!

 

[Johnnybravo60025]

That could be the reason. They need a 55 gallon minimum, and with everything else in there, they are probably cramped and pissed off!

But they will need at least a 75 (For the dimensions) a few years later, right?

 

[mshill90]

But they will need at least a 75 (For the dimensions) a few years later, right?

Depends on how big they are. Clown loaches are EXTREMELY slow growers.

I have 7 in a 75 gallon, and I plan on adding more. Mine are only 1.5 inches. Plus, my 4 incher.

They are too cramped. A 55 will do him fine for a few years.

 

[Crispy]

Agreed. These guys need some more room. 55g minimum IMO.

 

[Coolboy55]

Agreed. These guys need some more room. 55g minimum IMO.

Hmm, I wasn't expecting to need a bigger tank until next year or so. So yeah, there are 5 left in my 40g tank. 2 of them are about 3", 1 is about 2.5", and the other 2 are maybe 2".

I've been thinking about a DYI plywood build... maybe I'll have to get that going sooner than later.

 

[mshill90]

Hmm, I wasn't expecting to need a bigger tank until next year or so. So yeah, there are 5 left in my 40g tank. 2 of them are about 3", 1 is about 2.5", and the other 2 are maybe 2".

I've been thinking about a DYI plywood build... maybe I'll have to get that going sooner than later.

a 55 Gallon tank is only $100. Would cost you soo much more to make a plywood build. And by the time you finish them, they might all be dead.