Clown loaches in a 4ftx10ft

jake37

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 6, 2021
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These are my currently 9 clown loaches (might add up to 3 more). They used to be in a 120 and finally moved so i can put them in their new 550. I can't see how anyone could keep them in a smaller aquarium than a 550 they are so much happier in this space. The oldest ones I've had for 4 years and are around 4 to 6 inches depending how you measure (only have 2 of those as the other 4 died when some disease carrying cherry barbs poisoned their water - oddly this disease did not impact them at all and they lived happily on while killing everyone else and are still alive today.
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I keep the clown wtih 6 zerbra (4 died during the disease route) and 4 or 5 yoyo (i forget); these were not impacted by the disease but a few jumped out over the years - new tank is sealed much better.
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All the loaches wiill glass surf together at time but the zebra who are smaller tend to drop out quicker - now and then the smaller clown loach will go and 'invite' them back but they usually are too tired to rejoin till the next day
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People say not to keep loaches species together but these three species seem to get along ok - the yoyo are most rambunctious but the larger clowns aren't bothered by that - the zebra and yoyo are adults now - and this chemistry might change as the clown age (not sure) as the clowns will be kids for many more years.
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Here is a picture i took today though a video might work better:
xxx.jpg
 

Stephen St.Clair

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jul 2, 2017
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I keep YoYo's, Modestas and a sole Berdmorei Tiger Loach together with no problems.
Be sure to post pics of the new XL tank.
 

jake37

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 6, 2021
353
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I have always kept different similar sized loaches together. It seems to work, so long as you have at least a few of each.
I do think it depends on the species as i know a few of the loaches are quite territorial and aggressive; for the clowns the worse i've seen is one of the large ones killed one of my bns when it tried to nest in its cave - but oddly more recently it has left the L204s alone - maybe the bn (it was a male) actually tried to claim the cave by force (which would have been a big mistake with a clown loach more than twice the mass). However i've seen clown loaches and zebra loaches and even a yoyo all crame into a tiny cave on top of each other without issue (my larger male clown loach prefer his own cave solo - but his tail will frequently stick out and a bunch of the smallers one will flop up and down on top of it until he comes out - the only that will actually bully him is the larger female. She will actually nip at him until he comes out then swim off - go figures.
 

Simonas

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2008
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Wirral, UK
Yes they do love the space, my 7 are soon to be in a 9' x 3' with their 5 blue botia mates that they get along fine with
 

Fishman Dave

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 14, 2015
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West Yorkshire
Typical loach behaviour! You go to accentuate how much happier they are in a bigger space, get out the camera and they all scatter!
Good looking tank though.
 
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