Clown Loach's.....Should I just give up?

[Zeppelin3k]

I have bought countless numbers of clown loachs and cant seem to keep a shoal alive! i am sick of this i need some tips for helping them stay healthy. My 7" loach just bit the bucket and so did my oddball. i am back down to 1 4" one and he needs buddys, problem is that they dont stay alive. I think i am in the 20's with the loachs now and only have one living, pethetic!

I talked to my lfs today and am getting some loachs ordered. Can someone help me with some tips, i want to get these guys in a Q tank before i put them in my 180 gallon for a couple weeks. What should i do? Tank will be at 80degrees and it is a 30gallon.


Thank you in advance
-Zach

 

[JD_MAN]

I keep all of my tanks very warm...maybe around 82-84 degrees and also keep lots of oxygen in the water, using a bubbler and a couple of power heads. Give them lots of hiding spots and plenty of food.

 

[ewurm]

Also varied diet helps, frozen is good. Make sure you don't buy them small, and don't buy skinny ones. A little aquarium salt doesn't hurt either.

 

[ewurm]

Also, add garlic extract to the food, helps prevent internal parasites.

 

[Zeppelin3k]

Thank you guys very much, should i put them in a Q tank for a couple weeks of skip that and go right to the 180?

I also have 3 18" bubble wands and a powerhead in the 180

 

[ewurm]

How big is quarantine tank?

 

[Zeppelin3k]

30 gallons

 

[JD_MAN]

Thank you guys very much, should i put them in a Q tank for a couple weeks of skip that and go right to the 180?

I also have 3 18" bubble wands and a powerhead in the 180

I have never put any of my loaches in a Q tank...but I also kind of have my own style of fish keeping that I don't recommend to anyone. I always just throw my new loaches in my 180, no matter what size they might be.

 

[ewurm]

How many loaches are you getting, and what size?

 

[Zeppelin3k]

well wurm, my 6-7 incher died so i called my lfs owner today and told him to see if he can get me some more of the same size, i told him i would take 3-4 of them.