Clowns eating other fish?

[Longimanus]

I was at a LFS today, and they have two resident clown loaches there, six inches or more. The fish guy told me that clowns can become really aggressive as they get bigger, and will kill and eat smaller fish. He said when they put feeders in for the arowana and other fish, the clowns are the first to attack, eating the eyes out first.

Is this common? I thought clowns were peaceful fish that didn't really attack other fish.

 

[ewurm]

They will try to eat any small fish they think they can. They are predatory.

 

[RDTigger]

they are omnivores..and eat snails...

If it fits in their mouth, it is fair game...

 

[Mr Pleco]

My larger CL's get a treat of feeder guppies, rosies, ghost shrimp, snails and red worms.

They have big appetites and I swear they'd eat all day if you let them.

 

[RDTigger]

My larger CL's get a treat of feeder guppies, rosies, ghost shrimp, snails and red worms.

They have big appetites and I swear they'd eat all day if you let them.

They do EVERYTHING with enthusiasm when they are happy!

 

[Longimanus]

That's crazy! I really had no idea they would do that. I'll have to keep an eye on mine when they get bigger I guess.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[mcloughlin2]

One of the only breeding reports of clownloaches state that they develop a love for meat before breeding which resulted in them eating fish.