large Clown loach advice please

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hamfist

Candiru
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2010
787
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Southampton, UK
2 weeks ago I was fortunate enough to pick up four 6-7" clown loaches at a very reasonable price.
They have gone in my 150G with a couple of small cichlids and a few swordtails and rainbowfish (so nothing to threaten them).

The issue is that I am hardly getting to see them - not like clowns I have had in the past.

They come out only right at the end of the evening and into the night. When they do come out they seem happy, not nervous and shoal very well. I love watching them on those few occasions that I see them.

In the tank I have a very large, complex piece of bogwood, which they bury themselves in so that I cannot see them at all.

So .... obviously I would like to see them more, and during more of the daylight hours especially. Do I just need to be patient and let them settle in more, or will maybe removing the bogwood, and replacing it with something rather less easy to hide in help to encourage them out ?

Any advise would be gratefully received.
 
Hi - I have a 120gal tank (us) with approx 20+ clowns ranging from 3 in to 7 in. i noticed the largest ones are the most shy - my largest hid for almost 6 weeks without coming out in the open areas. You do need dithers like rainbows and some barbs but most of all patience. I recently acquired one about 6 in and its taken him about 3 weeks to join the rest of the crowd. Leave the hiding places as is and just wait a few weeks! The lighting should not be bright and no hyper active fish like Danios which makes them nervous. Hope this helps a bit.
 
yellowsub9 said:
Hi - I have a 120gal tank (us) with approx 20+ clowns ranging from 3 in to 7 in. i noticed the largest ones are the most shy - my largest hid for almost 6 weeks without coming out in the open areas. You do need dithers like rainbows and some barbs but most of all patience. I recently acquired one about 6 in and its taken him about 3 weeks to join the rest of the crowd. Leave the hiding places as is and just wait a few weeks! The lighting should not be bright and no hyper active fish like Danios which makes them nervous. Hope this helps a bit.
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THanks. That seems pretty much like the concensus of others opinions from what I've read around on the www. Especially the bit about the larger loaches taking longer to settle.
Seems like I just need patience. To be honest, I was encouraged yesterday evening when my loaches were out significantly more than previously. I hope it continues like this !
 
Chromobotia said:
Glad to hear they are getting out more. Now let's see some pics if you can get them.
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Hmmmm. Not really up to photoshoot levels of activity yet. Hopefully in a couple of weeks ! I will certainly post pics when I can get some decent ones.
 
From my experience (qty. 21), when brought in at a larger size. They tend to hide for long periods if surroundings are new. I've experimented with taking most of their hiding spots away and just leaving enough in there for me to be able to see them. Another good way is to add more smaller clowns as they seem to be less shy and the bigger ones will mimic eventually with time. In my opinion, the biggest factor is lighting. Brights will make them hide until lights are turned off. Dim lighting during the day works the best. Other than during feedings, they will come out on their own eventually. In my case, the clowns will only actively forage for sinking pellets if the lights are off. If dim lighting, only half will come out to eat.
 
Patience. I hardly saw mine the first 2 months after I bought them. They would only come out at early morning hours when all lights were out, and only some sunlight entered the tank. Actually I used to get up early to make sure they are all right and have something to eat. Nowadays they are constantly out. They need a secure hiding place to back off to whenever they feel like it.
 
THanks guys. All very relevant and useful information !!
 
What are you feeding them currently? I have had a ton of luck luring them out for blood worms. Try toning down the lighting too.
Ideally you're best bet is to have more of them. Regardless of size, clowns are a schooling fish and the safety in numbers mentality makes them most comfortable with a group.
 
L.BelcherII said:
What are you feeding them currently? I have had a ton of luck luring them out for blood worms. Try toning down the lighting too.
Ideally you're best bet is to have more of them. Regardless of size, clowns are a schooling fish and the safety in numbers mentality makes them most comfortable with a group.
Click to expand...

Currently feeding mostly NLS pellets, with odd extras including bloodworm once a week. I can tell that they are very interested in the bloodworm, but its not quite enough to tempt them out in the daytime yet.
My lighting is very subdued at the moment. I will only try and increase it once the clowns are confident and out a lot.
I know your point about numbers is true, however I really don't want to increase the shoal in this 150G tank, as I think 4 x large loaches plus a few midwater swimmers really is enough for the space.
Patience is the key I think, and I see small increases in confidence each day.
 
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