Sad Clown Loach?

[Joe21]

I had 2 CL's in one of my 55G tanks that I had got from someone who was giving his fish away for free. These 2 were about 3-5 inches in size and were very close to each other. They were very active, never hiding, and simply thriving with just being only 2. I was going to add more CL's, as I know they have to be in groups.

Before I could even do that, there was an accident with my tank. 1 of the CL's died. It broke my heart that this beautiful thing had to die from a stupid mishap. Ever since then, the other CL has been hiding and I never see him anymore.

I bought 4 CL's, but they are all babies (about 1 inch). They are very active, but the bigger one is always hiding. I thought he'd come out now since he has more of his own kind now. That's not the case.

Anyone know what I can do to make the big one out and happy like before?

 

[mother monster]

I had the same thing happen to one of my CL's- had an outbreak of ich that took my entire shoal except one. Afterwards, he wouldn't shoal with new, smaller loaches I got. I tried adding loaches closer to his size. He'd spend all day inside a snail shell in my heavily planted tank [the only actual 'cover' aside from plants]. I took the shell out a good while ago, and over time he became a part of the shoal again and is very easy-going and completely back to normal.
I really don't have any suggestions aside from what I tried to get my fish to be happy again- forcing him out of his cave to play with his new, appropriately-sized friends worked for me, good luck with your loach!

 

[Andyroo]

that or go the other way- add lots of hiding spots so everybody feels very secure. PVC or bamboo pipe sections, logs 7 driftwood etc... What else is in the tank? Dither-fish?
PS: you should also think about getting a bigger tank- 55 is well on the small size for clowns.

 

[Joe21]

I had the same thing happen to one of my CL's- had an outbreak of ich that took my entire shoal except one. Afterwards, he wouldn't shoal with new, smaller loaches I got. I tried adding loaches closer to his size. He'd spend all day inside a snail shell in my heavily planted tank [the only actual 'cover' aside from plants]. I took the shell out a good while ago, and over time he became a part of the shoal again and is very easy-going and completely back to normal.
I really don't have any suggestions aside from what I tried to get my fish to be happy again- forcing him out of his cave to play with his new, appropriately-sized friends worked for me, good luck with your loach!

^Thanks for the reply.

Getting CL's close to his size would be expensive, but that's all I can think of as a solution. I might try what you did, but I don't really want to stress the guy by taking his hiding spot.





And to Andyroo, I have Tiger Barbs with it.

 

[Andyroo]

Tiger barbs are the right dithers. I'd say just keep at it, and work with the habitat. Pipes & tubes & hides, and maybe a powerhead to increase flow. Big loaches seem to have little problem with schooling with smaller ones- he's just stressed from loosing his buddy. He'll get over it. Maybe try feeding his favourite food or some live stuff like small shrimp or earthworms in the daytime.
A

 

[george09]

probley surfers a bit from some anxiety, over time it will interact again with the other loaches in the tank. The important thing is that the water peramitors are right and it has sufficient places to hide. Also may just be the time of day, mine are more active during the morning then come later in the day they are a little less active.