Clowns In sparse tanks

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SteveR

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2008
1,359
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Scotland
Hi Everybody.

Just posting, wondering really if anyone else does this? Before I get lampooned about "loaches need hiding places" and loaches need this and that - zip your mouths for a moment and hear me out!

I've been experimenting with various tank designs for my Clowns but have found they are just as happy with a quite sparse tank as long as their is substrate to sift through. Check out my thread. I had alot of wood and stuff in at one point.

I'm still getting the "loach dance" every morning and night when the lights go out - assuring me they are happy. And a general lazyness when the light is on. I think because I have so many they are starting to feel more confident.

Anyone else keep them this way?

Check out my thread for photos of how my tank has been and how it is now.
 
I have a love/hate relationship with my Clown Loaches.

I love them because they shoal around and are just a blast to watch.

I hate them because they hide like idiots most of the time.

I've taken out all the decor before and forced them to be active, they swam around and were fine. They would sort of rest in a little herd sometimes but mostly were active. The moment I add any sort of structure back in they will find a way to hide in/under/next to it and proceed to sit there 95% of the time. I just added 2 more for a total of 7 hoping it would make them more active but nothing has changed. I ordered some different driftwood and I am going to rearrange it so they still have hides but I can at least see them. The new pieces are branchy so they won't be able to completely vanish into the cover. I also plan to add more as I see them for sale in the hopes that a much larger shoal (20+) will make them more comfortable and active.
 
I have a pack of 10 Clown Loaches. My tank consists of 2 large pieces of drift wood and a piece of slate resting on 2 rocks to act as a make shift shelter.

In my experience, I feel that the most important factor in having happy loaches is the size of the shoal. My 10 seem to do extreamly well in their current set up. They swim around the tank constantly. When it is time to rest, many of them are laying on their side on top of the slate shelter that I made for them.

I'm with you. One doesn't need to have thousands of hiding spots for loaches to feel secure in their tank.
 
The more fish in the shoal, the more comfy they will be outside of cover. A bare tank works for your big shoal, but maybe not for everybody else. They really like the shade more than anything, so the slate idea above works well to give them a "tent" from the light without them being totally hidden from view. I use scalloped coconut husks as little huts for them, but I've also heard that pieces of pvc or clear vinyl tubing make great caves...
 
Agree with you guys, I also think that even fake floating plants help shade the tank etc. I've had some really funny behaviour lately. I just looked at the tank and saw 5 loaches swimming in formation, literally glued to each other turning about the tank, 4 little ones, huge one in the centre, hilarious! Anyone want to offer up their tank pics?
 
I have a bare bottom tank, one small simple driftwood, and two huge ornaments for them to hide in. Most are out all the time because the tank doesn't have lights.
 
My experience is that cls lose their tendency to hide when the shoal is bigger than about 10 individuals. Saying that I've noticed that cls do like to bed down in structure at night. Having a bare tank isn't necessary to enjoy active cls. The photo below was of a shoal of cls where the biggest was 10 inches.

j<><
 
polish;4066700; said:
I have a love/hate relationship with my Clown Loaches.

I love them because they shoal around and are just a blast to watch.

I hate them because they hide like idiots most of the time.

I've taken out all the decor before and forced them to be active, they swam around and were fine. They would sort of rest in a little herd sometimes but mostly were active. The moment I add any sort of structure back in they will find a way to hide in/under/next to it and proceed to sit there 95% of the time. I just added 2 more for a total of 7 hoping it would make them more active but nothing has changed. I ordered some different driftwood and I am going to rearrange it so they still have hides but I can at least see them. The new pieces are branchy so they won't be able to completely vanish into the cover. I also plan to add more as I see them for sale in the hopes that a much larger shoal (20+) will make them more comfortable and active.
Click to expand...

Clown loaches dont like too much light.

best

Dunga
 
justin guest;4069385; said:
My experience is that cls lose their tendency to hide when the shoal is bigger than about 10 individuals. Saying that I've noticed that cls do like to bed down in structure at night. Having a bare tank isn't necessary to enjoy active cls. The photo below was of a shoal of cls where the biggest was 10 inches.

j<><
Click to expand...

I think I've seen your tank before, it's awesome and thanks for showing the loaches. Looks great. Is that the 660 l?
 
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