Extremely shy Clown Loaches

[Gill Passman]

Hi All,

I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They don't
appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but are a
little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes see a
quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can tell
they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the Neons
leave that sinks to the bottom.

They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich before
they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has two
large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.

I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways I
wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in no Ich
outbreaks in his shop).

So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the Community
Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move them?
Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach troupe
in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never move
them until they outgrow the tank?

I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....

The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium from
other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking this
may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it will be
through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today - much
higher yesterday (20% change done).

Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....

Any comments/advice welcome

Thanks
Gill

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
> Hi All,
>
> I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> don't
> appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
> are a
> little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
> see a
> quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
> tell
> they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
> Neons
> leave that sinks to the bottom.
>
> They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> before
> they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
> two
> large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>
> I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
> won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
> Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
> I
> wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
> no Ich
> outbreaks in his shop).
>
> So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
> Community
> Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
> them?
> Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> troupe
> in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
> move
> them until they outgrow the tank?
>
> I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
> ;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>
> The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
> from
> other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
> this
> may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
> will be
> through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
> much
> higher yesterday (20% change done).
>
> Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>
> Any comments/advice welcome
>
> Thanks
> Gill


The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current location's
water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate hiding
spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
when moved. jmo
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Gill Passman]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> > don't
> > appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
> > are a
> > little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
> > see a
> > quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
> > tell
> > they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
> > Neons
> > leave that sinks to the bottom.
> >
> > They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> > before
> > they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
> > two
> > large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
> >
> > I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
> > won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
> > Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
> > I
> > wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> > especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
> > no Ich
> > outbreaks in his shop).
> >
> > So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
> > Community
> > Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
> > them?
> > Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> > troupe
> > in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
> > move
> > them until they outgrow the tank?
> >
> > I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
> > ;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
> >
> > The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
> > from
> > other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
> > this
> > may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
> > will be
> > through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
> > much
> > higher yesterday (20% change done).
> >
> > Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
> >
> > Any comments/advice welcome
> >
> > Thanks
> > Gill
>
>
> The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
> your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current location's
> water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate hiding
> spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
> adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
> when moved. jmo
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>
At the moment the water quality is better in the Community Tank....as I
said, I hope the mini cycle will finish tomorrow or the next day. I'm just
very jumpy after what happened when I was on hols.....they have lots of
hiding spaces which is why I can't see them...

Thanks.....I'm just worried that when I eventually move them they will go
through the same stress again

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "NetMax" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>>
>>>Hi All,
>>>
>>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
>>>don't
>>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
>>>are a
>>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
>>>see a
>>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
>>>tell
>>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
>>>Neons
>>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>>>
>>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
>>>before
>>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
>>>two
>>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>>>
>>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
>>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
>>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
>>>I
>>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
>>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
>>>no Ich
>>>outbreaks in his shop).
>>>
>>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
>>>Community
>>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
>>>them?
>>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
>>>troupe
>>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
>>>move
>>>them until they outgrow the tank?
>>>
>>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
>>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>>>
>>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
>>>from
>>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
>>>this
>>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
>>>will be
>>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
>>>much
>>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
>>>
>>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>>>
>>>Any comments/advice welcome
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>Gill
>>
>>
>>The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
>>your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current location's
>>water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate hiding
>>spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
>>adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
>>when moved. jmo
>>--
>>www.NetMax.tk
>>
>>
>
> At the moment the water quality is better in the Community Tank....as I
> said, I hope the mini cycle will finish tomorrow or the next day. I'm just
> very jumpy after what happened when I was on hols.....they have lots of
> hiding spaces which is why I can't see them...
>
> Thanks.....I'm just worried that when I eventually move them they will go
> through the same stress again
>
> Gill
>
>
I think you're worrying too much. You're a great aquarist and I'm sure
their tank conditions are fine. Catfish and loaches have shy phases and
are rarely the worse for wear because of it. To feed them, put in a
sinking pelleted food in after the tank lights have been off for a half
hour or so. Shrimp pellets or the little Hikari wafers work great.
You'll soon hear that reassuring clicking noise of clown loaches pigging
out!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. ..
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > "NetMax" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >>
> >>>Hi All,
> >>>
> >>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> >>>don't
> >>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
> >>>are a
> >>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
> >>>see a
> >>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
> >>>tell
> >>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
> >>>Neons
> >>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
> >>>
> >>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> >>>before
> >>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
> >>>two
> >>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
> >>>
> >>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
> >>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
> >>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
> >>>I
> >>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> >>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
> >>>no Ich
> >>>outbreaks in his shop).
> >>>
> >>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
> >>>Community
> >>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
> >>>them?
> >>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> >>>troupe
> >>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
> >>>move
> >>>them until they outgrow the tank?
> >>>
> >>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous

> >>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
> >>>
> >>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
> >>>from
> >>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
> >>>this
> >>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
> >>>will be
> >>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
> >>>much
> >>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
> >>>
> >>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
> >>>
> >>>Any comments/advice welcome
> >>>
> >>>Thanks
> >>>Gill
> >>
> >>
> >>The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
> >>your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current location's
> >>water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate hiding
> >>spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
> >>adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
> >>when moved. jmo
> >>--
> >>www.NetMax.tk
> >>
> >>
> >
> > At the moment the water quality is better in the Community Tank....as I
> > said, I hope the mini cycle will finish tomorrow or the next day. I'm
just
> > very jumpy after what happened when I was on hols.....they have lots of
> > hiding spaces which is why I can't see them...
> >
> > Thanks.....I'm just worried that when I eventually move them they will
go
> > through the same stress again
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
> I think you're worrying too much. You're a great aquarist and I'm sure
> their tank conditions are fine. Catfish and loaches have shy phases and
> are rarely the worse for wear because of it. To feed them, put in a
> sinking pelleted food in after the tank lights have been off for a half
> hour or so. Shrimp pellets or the little Hikari wafers work great.
> You'll soon hear that reassuring clicking noise of clown loaches pigging
> out!
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Thanks for the compliment - however, I am still a newbie (only just around a
year since the first tank - now up to six again).

I've just found where they are hiding out. There is a row of 3 little faces
peering out from under some driftwood. There is the occassional mad dash up
and down the back of the tank but that is all.

I'll put in a sinking pellet tonight and see what happens.

I think I got so used to my confident sixsome, that I've actually forgotten
how shy they were to start with.

Gill

[2pods]

Just now I have 3 out of the original 4 in the downstairs tank.
6 in the upstairs Rio 240, and 4 in the Rekord 60 (they're quarantined in
there until they go downstairs).

Peter

[Steve]

Gill Passman wrote:

>>>>>Hi All,
>>>>>
>>>>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
>>>>>don't
>>>>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
>>>>>are a
>>>>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
>>>>>see a
>>>>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
>>>>>tell
>>>>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
>>>>>Neons
>>>>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>>>>>

Hi Gill,
I think this is your message? Anyway, I obtained my three clown loaches
in May 1991 and they've always liked to hide. They're often behind slate
at the back of the tank, under driftwood or in plastic sewer pipe bits
that are in this heavily planted 90 gal tank. Now that I have
dark-coloured eco-complete substrate, the clown loaches' colour is
fairly dark -- to match the environs, I suppose.

As soon as food is introduced into the tank, the clown loaches are right
there, however. They feed at the surface, in mid-water and from the
bottom. These are the only fish remaining from my new aquarium setup of
1991, but none of the clown loaches have died. They did come down with
ich in their first few weeks, however :) .

Steve

[kclmymy]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hi Gill,
> I think this is your message? Anyway, I obtained my three clown loaches in
> May 1991 and they've always liked to hide. They're often behind slate at
> the back of the tank, under driftwood or in plastic sewer pipe bits that
> are in this heavily planted 90 gal tank. Now that I have dark-coloured
> eco-complete substrate, the clown loaches' colour is fairly dark -- to
> match the environs, I suppose.
>
> As soon as food is introduced into the tank, the clown loaches are right
> there, however. They feed at the surface, in mid-water and from the
> bottom. These are the only fish remaining from my new aquarium setup of
> 1991, but none of the clown loaches have died. They did come down with ich
> in their first few weeks, however :) .
>
> Steve

1991 ??

Wow, how big are the fish now ?

kclmymy

[Steve]

kclmymy wrote:
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...

> 1991 ??
>
> Wow, how big are the fish now ?
>
> kclmymy
>
>

They're perhaps six inches long, and they've been the same size for years.
Steve

[kclmymy]

> They're perhaps six inches long, and they've been the same size for years.
> Steve

I have 4 in 120g (4'x2'x2') tank since early 2002. One now 5" and fat, the
rest about 3.5" - 4". The big fellow is fat and eat just about anything, all
hand-fed too.

I noticed they grow faster if you feed them worm of any kind, for me bread
worm (some kind of beetle larvae).

kclmymy

[Dick]

On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:34:46 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They don't
>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but are a
>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes see a
>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can tell
>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the Neons
>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>
>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich before
>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has two
>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>
>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways I
>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in no Ich
>outbreaks in his shop).
>
>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the Community
>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move them?
>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach troupe
>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never move
>them until they outgrow the tank?
>
>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>
>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium from
>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking this
>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it will be
>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today - much
>higher yesterday (20% change done).
>
>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>
>Any comments/advice welcome
>
>Thanks
>Gill
>

I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.

The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
in to the ornament, but is out more often.

About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.

I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.

I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
Clowns.

dick

[Gill Passman]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> . ..
> > Gill Passman wrote:
> > > "NetMax" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > >
> > >>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> > .. .
> > >>
> > >>>Hi All,
> > >>>
> > >>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> > >>>don't
> > >>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
> > >>>are a
> > >>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
> > >>>see a
> > >>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
> > >>>tell
> > >>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
> > >>>Neons
> > >>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
> > >>>
> > >>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> > >>>before
> > >>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
> > >>>two
> > >>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
> > >>>
> > >>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that
I
> > >>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in
the
> > >>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of
ways
> > >>>I
> > >>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> > >>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
> > >>>no Ich
> > >>>outbreaks in his shop).
> > >>>
> > >>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
> > >>>Community
> > >>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I
move
> > >>>them?
> > >>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> > >>>troupe
> > >>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
> > >>>move
> > >>>them until they outgrow the tank?
> > >>>
> > >>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my
previous
>
> > >>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
> > >>>
> > >>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter
medium
> > >>>from
> > >>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm
thinking
> > >>>this
> > >>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
> > >>>will be
> > >>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
> > >>>much
> > >>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
> > >>>
> > >>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
> > >>>
> > >>>Any comments/advice welcome
> > >>>
> > >>>Thanks
> > >>>Gill
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
> > >>your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current
location's
> > >>water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate
hiding
> > >>spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
> > >>adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
> > >>when moved. jmo
> > >>--
> > >>www.NetMax.tk
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > > At the moment the water quality is better in the Community Tank....as
I
> > > said, I hope the mini cycle will finish tomorrow or the next day. I'm
> just
> > > very jumpy after what happened when I was on hols.....they have lots
of
> > > hiding spaces which is why I can't see them...
> > >
> > > Thanks.....I'm just worried that when I eventually move them they will
> go
> > > through the same stress again
> > >
> > > Gill
> > >
> > >
> > I think you're worrying too much. You're a great aquarist and I'm sure
> > their tank conditions are fine. Catfish and loaches have shy phases and
> > are rarely the worse for wear because of it. To feed them, put in a
> > sinking pelleted food in after the tank lights have been off for a half
> > hour or so. Shrimp pellets or the little Hikari wafers work great.
> > You'll soon hear that reassuring clicking noise of clown loaches pigging
> > out!
> >
> > --
> > Elaine T __
> > http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> > rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
> Thanks for the compliment - however, I am still a newbie (only just around
a
> year since the first tank - now up to six again).
>
> I've just found where they are hiding out. There is a row of 3 little
faces
> peering out from under some driftwood. There is the occassional mad dash
up
> and down the back of the tank but that is all.
>
> I'll put in a sinking pellet tonight and see what happens.
>
> I think I got so used to my confident sixsome, that I've actually
forgotten
> how shy they were to start with.
>
> Gill
>
>

Elaine's idea worked a treat :-) - thanks Elaine.

I dropped a tablet into the tank last night about 30mins after turning off
the tank lights. Initially only those well-known bottom feeders - Neon
Tetras - (lol) were interested but slowly the Clown loaches came out to
feed - and again this morning with the lights on :-)

I've been able to see enough of them while feeding to check for signs of
Ich - and so far so good - two of them are currently asleep jammed between
the filter and the glass - something my originals used to do - not sure
where the third is....

I guess I'd forgotten just how shy the first Clowns I had were. By the time
I brought it up to 6 they were joining a Clown Community so were more
confident.

Roll on the feeding frenzy that my others used to do - especially for frozen
bloodworm....

Thanks again
Gill

[Gill Passman]

"kclmymy" > wrote in message
news:1124169934.9f5fefdb161a65d5053dd1a66fa328c4@t eranews...
>
> > They're perhaps six inches long, and they've been the same size for
years.
> > Steve
>
> I have 4 in 120g (4'x2'x2') tank since early 2002. One now 5" and fat, the
> rest about 3.5" - 4". The big fellow is fat and eat just about anything,
all
> hand-fed too.
>
> I noticed they grow faster if you feed them worm of any kind, for me bread
> worm (some kind of beetle larvae).
>
> kclmymy
>
>
I so hope I can keep my new Clowns as long as you have - I really love these
fish. My previous Clowns used to try and rip the frozen bloodworm out of my
hands and were always first in the feeding frenzy....two of them were quite
large (around 4-5") - have never seen them on sale this large again....but
then again there is no point in trying to recreate the past :-(

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. ..
>>
>>>Gill Passman wrote:
>>>
>>>>"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hi All,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
>>>>>>are a
>>>>>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
>>>>>>see a
>>>>>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
>>>>>>tell
>>>>>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
>>>>>>Neons
>>>>>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
>>>>>>before
>>>>>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
>>>>>>two
>>>>>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that
>
> I
>
>>>>>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in
>
> the
>
>>>>>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of
>
> ways
>
>>>>>>I
>>>>>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
>>>>>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
>>>>>>no Ich
>>>>>>outbreaks in his shop).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
>>>>>>Community
>>>>>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I
>
> move
>
>>>>>>them?
>>>>>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
>>>>>>troupe
>>>>>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
>>>>>>move
>>>>>>them until they outgrow the tank?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my
>
> previous
>
>>>>>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter
>
> medium
>
>>>>>>from
>>>>>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm
>
> thinking
>
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
>>>>>>will be
>>>>>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
>>>>>>much
>>>>>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Any comments/advice welcome
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thanks
>>>>>>Gill
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>The most dangerous portion of their acclimation is to your water, not
>>>>>your decorations and their new tank-mates. If their current
>
> location's
>
>>>>>water is representative of your community tank, and has adequate
>
> hiding
>
>>>>>spots, then I would leave them there. When they are healthy & well
>>>>>adjusted to the water, they will quickly take over your community tank
>>>>>when moved. jmo
>>>>>--
>>>>>www.NetMax.tk
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>At the moment the water quality is better in the Community Tank....as
>
> I
>
>>>>said, I hope the mini cycle will finish tomorrow or the next day. I'm
>>
>>just
>>
>>>>very jumpy after what happened when I was on hols.....they have lots
>
> of
>
>>>>hiding spaces which is why I can't see them...
>>>>
>>>>Thanks.....I'm just worried that when I eventually move them they will
>>
>>go
>>
>>>>through the same stress again
>>>>
>>>>Gill
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>I think you're worrying too much. You're a great aquarist and I'm sure
>>>their tank conditions are fine. Catfish and loaches have shy phases and
>>>are rarely the worse for wear because of it. To feed them, put in a
>>>sinking pelleted food in after the tank lights have been off for a half
>>>hour or so. Shrimp pellets or the little Hikari wafers work great.
>>>You'll soon hear that reassuring clicking noise of clown loaches pigging
>>>out!
>>>
>>>--
>>>Elaine T __
>>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>>
>>Thanks for the compliment - however, I am still a newbie (only just around
>
> a
>
>>year since the first tank - now up to six again).
>>
>>I've just found where they are hiding out. There is a row of 3 little
>
> faces
>
>>peering out from under some driftwood. There is the occassional mad dash
>
> up
>
>>and down the back of the tank but that is all.
>>
>>I'll put in a sinking pellet tonight and see what happens.
>>
>>I think I got so used to my confident sixsome, that I've actually
>
> forgotten
>
>>how shy they were to start with.
>>
>>Gill
>>
>>
>
>
> Elaine's idea worked a treat :-) - thanks Elaine.
>
> I dropped a tablet into the tank last night about 30mins after turning off
> the tank lights. Initially only those well-known bottom feeders - Neon
> Tetras - (lol) were interested but slowly the Clown loaches came out to
> feed - and again this morning with the lights on :-)
>
> I've been able to see enough of them while feeding to check for signs of
> Ich - and so far so good - two of them are currently asleep jammed between
> the filter and the glass - something my originals used to do - not sure
> where the third is....
>
> I guess I'd forgotten just how shy the first Clowns I had were. By the time
> I brought it up to 6 they were joining a Clown Community so were more
> confident.
>
> Roll on the feeding frenzy that my others used to do - especially for frozen
> bloodworm....
>
> Thanks again
> Gill
>
>
You're welcome.

I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[2pods]

> I so hope I can keep my new Clowns as long as you have - I really love
> these
> fish. My previous Clowns used to try and rip the frozen bloodworm out of
> my
> hands and were always first in the feeding frenzy....two of them were
> quite
> large (around 4-5") - have never seen them on sale this large again....but
> then again there is no point in trying to recreate the past :-(
>
> Gill

Gill,

You could have a look at Tri-Mar's webpage. IIRC they were advertising Clown
Loaches in 3 sizes.

Peter

[Mary Burns]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:34:46 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
>>don't
>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but are
>>a
>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes see a
>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can tell
>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the Neons
>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>>
>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
>>before
>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has two
>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>>
>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways I
>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in no
>>Ich
>>outbreaks in his shop).
>>
>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the Community
>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
>>them?
>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
>>troupe
>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never move
>>them until they outgrow the tank?
>>
>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>>
>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
>>from
>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
>>this
>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it will
>>be
>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today - much
>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
>>
>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>>
>>Any comments/advice welcome
>>
>>Thanks
>>Gill
>>
>
> I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
> years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>
> The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
> shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
> in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>
> About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
> the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
> gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
> go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>
> I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
> color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
> to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>
> I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
> groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
> Clowns.
>
> dick

I hope mine are ok, as they are all out nearly all day. As they are always
up before me, I peeped at them in June to see how early they got up. It is
linked to daylight, 4am, and now about 6am. They have brine shrimp for
breakfast, 7am,all at top, with tank lights off. Tank lights go on at
9.30am, and Alpha has a nap then for an hour. The other 7 stay up. There are
4 about 3.5" Alpha 4" and 3 little ones. They are at front, swimming,
playing with each other, good colour. Alpha gets up, slighty greyed out,
joins in, all waiting for lunch, a light veggie meal or algae wafers. Alpha
has another nap in his castle, 1 or 2 nap under plant at front, and all up
and playing again by 3pm. Their main meal is bloodworm or krill, which they
adore, around 6pm, and I use turkey baster to get it to gravel, in several
places, which helps to keep the rugby scrum a little better. The 5 go to bed
around 7pm, lights off , and the little ones stay up till about 8pm. I can
walk near tank to my kitchen without them hurrying away but they do hide if
strangers go to near. They really interact with each other and the platies,
knowing they are the dominant fish now angels have own tank. I have read
they can be nocturnal, so maybe as they get older it will change, but for
now, I enjoy them all day. My cories in another tank are also up all day,
with naps inbetween, but not shy at all. It may be because I live on my own
and its quiet here that gives them all confidence. Mary

[Gill Passman]

"Mary Burns" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:34:46 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> > <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> >>Hi All,
> >>
> >>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> >>don't
> >>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
are
> >>a
> >>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes see
a
> >>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can tell
> >>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the Neons
> >>leave that sinks to the bottom.
> >>
> >>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> >>before
> >>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has two
> >>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
> >>
> >>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
> >>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
> >>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
I
> >>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> >>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in no
> >>Ich
> >>outbreaks in his shop).
> >>
> >>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
Community
> >>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
> >>them?
> >>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> >>troupe
> >>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never move
> >>them until they outgrow the tank?
> >>
> >>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
> >>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
> >>
> >>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
> >>from
> >>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
> >>this
> >>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
will
> >>be
> >>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today - much
> >>higher yesterday (20% change done).
> >>
> >>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
> >>
> >>Any comments/advice welcome
> >>
> >>Thanks
> >>Gill
> >>
> >
> > I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
> > years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
> >
> > The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
> > shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
> > in to the ornament, but is out more often.
> >
> > About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
> > the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
> > gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
> > go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
> >
> > I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
> > color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
> > to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
> >
> > I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
> > groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
> > Clowns.
> >
> > dick
>
> I hope mine are ok, as they are all out nearly all day. As they are always
> up before me, I peeped at them in June to see how early they got up. It is
> linked to daylight, 4am, and now about 6am. They have brine shrimp for
> breakfast, 7am,all at top, with tank lights off. Tank lights go on at
> 9.30am, and Alpha has a nap then for an hour. The other 7 stay up. There
are
> 4 about 3.5" Alpha 4" and 3 little ones. They are at front, swimming,
> playing with each other, good colour. Alpha gets up, slighty greyed out,
> joins in, all waiting for lunch, a light veggie meal or algae wafers.
Alpha
> has another nap in his castle, 1 or 2 nap under plant at front, and all up
> and playing again by 3pm. Their main meal is bloodworm or krill, which
they
> adore, around 6pm, and I use turkey baster to get it to gravel, in several
> places, which helps to keep the rugby scrum a little better. The 5 go to
bed
> around 7pm, lights off , and the little ones stay up till about 8pm. I can
> walk near tank to my kitchen without them hurrying away but they do hide
if
> strangers go to near. They really interact with each other and the
platies,
> knowing they are the dominant fish now angels have own tank. I have read
> they can be nocturnal, so maybe as they get older it will change, but for
> now, I enjoy them all day. My cories in another tank are also up all day,
> with naps inbetween, but not shy at all. It may be because I live on my
own
> and its quiet here that gives them all confidence. Mary
>
>
My understanding is that more the merrier and that this gives them more
confidence - this was certainly my experience with the previous Clowns. They
also had no respect whatsoever for any of the other fish - however, dominant
the other fish was. In my tank it is a Blue 3 spot Gourami who rules all the
other fish with a rod of iron but when it came to the Clowns they would just
barge into him if he was in the way - lol

The situation today is that two of them are getting brave enough to come out
to the front of the tank occassionally and are also dancing up and down the
back of the tank. I'm a bit worried about the third who is keeping to
himself on the side of the pump and not reacting at all when I approach the
tank - in fact he is hardly moving at all - I do hope that he is OK....he is
a little greyed out but no sign of Ich.

The nitrites are going down in the tank - but this is still worrying me.
However, I'm still sticking with the advice to leave them alone rather than
moving them into the other tank yet. Thinking of doing another water change.

Gill

[steve]

Elaine T wrote:

> I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)


Who'd a thunk it? I'm reading this thread and come upon this "click
click click" reference by Elaine. "Curious", I thinks to myself. I
can only surmise the click noise is something that clowns do. I've had
clowns in the past and don't recall any clicking going on.

So I'm in the fish room yesterday sitting on my stool gazing into the
tanks. I've recently added 5 clown loaches and they're doing great.
They're in a heavily planted tank and they really cruise around. Well,
3 are playing in the middle of the tank, and two of those are face to
face for a second, when I hear a "click, click, click"! I couldn't
beleive it! I heard another solitary click a moment later. What's the
deal with clicking clowns?

steve

[2pods]

"steve" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Elaine T wrote:
>
>> I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)
>
>
> Who'd a thunk it? I'm reading this thread and come upon this "click
> click click" reference by Elaine. "Curious", I thinks to myself. I
> can only surmise the click noise is something that clowns do. I've had
> clowns in the past and don't recall any clicking going on.
>
> So I'm in the fish room yesterday sitting on my stool gazing into the
> tanks. I've recently added 5 clown loaches and they're doing great.
> They're in a heavily planted tank and they really cruise around. Well,
> 3 are playing in the middle of the tank, and two of those are face to
> face for a second, when I hear a "click, click, click"! I couldn't
> beleive it! I heard another solitary click a moment later. What's the
> deal with clicking clowns?
>
> steve
>
That'll teach you, you didn't know they could read over your shoulder too,
did you ?

;-)

Peter

[Gill Passman]

"2pods" > wrote in message
...
>
> "steve" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >
> > Elaine T wrote:
> >
> >> I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)
> >
> >
> > Who'd a thunk it? I'm reading this thread and come upon this "click
> > click click" reference by Elaine. "Curious", I thinks to myself. I
> > can only surmise the click noise is something that clowns do. I've had
> > clowns in the past and don't recall any clicking going on.
> >
> > So I'm in the fish room yesterday sitting on my stool gazing into the
> > tanks. I've recently added 5 clown loaches and they're doing great.
> > They're in a heavily planted tank and they really cruise around. Well,
> > 3 are playing in the middle of the tank, and two of those are face to
> > face for a second, when I hear a "click, click, click"! I couldn't
> > beleive it! I heard another solitary click a moment later. What's the
> > deal with clicking clowns?
> >
> > steve
> >
> That'll teach you, you didn't know they could read over your shoulder too,
> did you ?
>
> ;-)
>
> Peter
>
>
My last lot of Clowns used to slurp as well as click....the clicking was
kinda strange though - you could be sitting near the tank and hear this very
loud click noise and wonder what had broken and then realise it was the
Clowns :-)

Gill

PS wonder if Steve's Clowns will now slurp after reading this

[Elaine T]

steve wrote:
> Elaine T wrote:
>
>
>>I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)
>
>
>
> Who'd a thunk it? I'm reading this thread and come upon this "click
> click click" reference by Elaine. "Curious", I thinks to myself. I
> can only surmise the click noise is something that clowns do. I've had
> clowns in the past and don't recall any clicking going on.
>
> So I'm in the fish room yesterday sitting on my stool gazing into the
> tanks. I've recently added 5 clown loaches and they're doing great.
> They're in a heavily planted tank and they really cruise around. Well,
> 3 are playing in the middle of the tank, and two of those are face to
> face for a second, when I hear a "click, click, click"! I couldn't
> beleive it! I heard another solitary click a moment later. What's the
> deal with clicking clowns?
>
> steve
>
I had big clowns many years ago. They'd click like crazy while they
were eating so I always thought of it as a feeding noise. Worms or
shrimp pellets would get appreciative clicks as the clowns chowed down.
It's interesting that yours are clicking without food - I never caught
mine doing that.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "Mary Burns" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:34:46 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>>><gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi All,
>>>>
>>>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
>>>>don't
>>>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
>
> are
>
>>>>a
>>>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes see
>
> a
>
>>>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can tell
>>>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the Neons
>>>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
>>>>
>>>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
>>>>before
>>>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has two
>>>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
>>>>
>>>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that I
>>>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
>>>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of ways
>
> I
>
>>>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
>>>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in no
>>>>Ich
>>>>outbreaks in his shop).
>>>>
>>>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
>
> Community
>
>>>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
>>>>them?
>>>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
>>>>troupe
>>>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never move
>>>>them until they outgrow the tank?
>>>>
>>>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my previous
>>>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
>>>>
>>>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
>>>>from
>>>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
>>>>this
>>>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
>
> will
>
>>>>be
>>>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today - much
>>>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
>>>>
>>>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
>>>>
>>>>Any comments/advice welcome
>>>>
>>>>Thanks
>>>>Gill
>>>>
>>>
>>>I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
>>>years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>>>
>>>The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
>>>shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
>>>in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>>>
>>>About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
>>>the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
>>>gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
>>>go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>>>
>>>I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
>>>color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
>>>to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>>>
>>>I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
>>>groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
>>>Clowns.
>>>
>>>dick
>>
>>I hope mine are ok, as they are all out nearly all day. As they are always
>>up before me, I peeped at them in June to see how early they got up. It is
>>linked to daylight, 4am, and now about 6am. They have brine shrimp for
>>breakfast, 7am,all at top, with tank lights off. Tank lights go on at
>>9.30am, and Alpha has a nap then for an hour. The other 7 stay up. There
>
> are
>
>>4 about 3.5" Alpha 4" and 3 little ones. They are at front, swimming,
>>playing with each other, good colour. Alpha gets up, slighty greyed out,
>>joins in, all waiting for lunch, a light veggie meal or algae wafers.
>
> Alpha
>
>>has another nap in his castle, 1 or 2 nap under plant at front, and all up
>>and playing again by 3pm. Their main meal is bloodworm or krill, which
>
> they
>
>>adore, around 6pm, and I use turkey baster to get it to gravel, in several
>>places, which helps to keep the rugby scrum a little better. The 5 go to
>
> bed
>
>>around 7pm, lights off , and the little ones stay up till about 8pm. I can
>>walk near tank to my kitchen without them hurrying away but they do hide
>
> if
>
>>strangers go to near. They really interact with each other and the
>
> platies,
>
>>knowing they are the dominant fish now angels have own tank. I have read
>>they can be nocturnal, so maybe as they get older it will change, but for
>>now, I enjoy them all day. My cories in another tank are also up all day,
>>with naps inbetween, but not shy at all. It may be because I live on my
>
> own
>
>>and its quiet here that gives them all confidence. Mary
>>
>>
>
> My understanding is that more the merrier and that this gives them more
> confidence - this was certainly my experience with the previous Clowns. They
> also had no respect whatsoever for any of the other fish - however, dominant
> the other fish was. In my tank it is a Blue 3 spot Gourami who rules all the
> other fish with a rod of iron but when it came to the Clowns they would just
> barge into him if he was in the way - lol
>
> The situation today is that two of them are getting brave enough to come out
> to the front of the tank occassionally and are also dancing up and down the
> back of the tank. I'm a bit worried about the third who is keeping to
> himself on the side of the pump and not reacting at all when I approach the
> tank - in fact he is hardly moving at all - I do hope that he is OK....he is
> a little greyed out but no sign of Ich.
>
> The nitrites are going down in the tank - but this is still worrying me.
> However, I'm still sticking with the advice to leave them alone rather than
> moving them into the other tank yet. Thinking of doing another water change.
>
> Gill
>
>
Remember that a touch of salt is tremendously helpful for nitrite
poisoning. Clowns (and most other fish, really) are much more tolerant
of salt than nitrite. One tsp/five gallons is enough to help with
nitrites and you can let it fall with your water changes once the
nitrite is back to zero.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. ..
> steve wrote:
> > Elaine T wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I'm so glad to hear they're eating for you. *click, click click* ;-)
> >
> >
> >
> > Who'd a thunk it? I'm reading this thread and come upon this "click
> > click click" reference by Elaine. "Curious", I thinks to myself. I
> > can only surmise the click noise is something that clowns do. I've had
> > clowns in the past and don't recall any clicking going on.
> >
> > So I'm in the fish room yesterday sitting on my stool gazing into the
> > tanks. I've recently added 5 clown loaches and they're doing great.
> > They're in a heavily planted tank and they really cruise around. Well,
> > 3 are playing in the middle of the tank, and two of those are face to
> > face for a second, when I hear a "click, click, click"! I couldn't
> > beleive it! I heard another solitary click a moment later. What's the
> > deal with clicking clowns?
> >
> > steve
> >
> I had big clowns many years ago. They'd click like crazy while they
> were eating so I always thought of it as a feeding noise. Worms or
> shrimp pellets would get appreciative clicks as the clowns chowed down.
> It's interesting that yours are clicking without food - I never caught
> mine doing that.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Mine used to click even when not feeding....still to hear the latest batch
click let alone slurp but one week on is early days....

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. ..
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > "Mary Burns" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>"Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >>>On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:34:46 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> >>><gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Hi All,
> >>>>
> >>>>I got the 3 Clown Loaches last Wednesday but they are in hiding. They
> >>>>don't
> >>>>appear to be suffering from Ich on the rare occassions I see them but
> >
> > are
> >
> >>>>a
> >>>>little greyed out - therefore IME a little bit stressed. I sometimes
see
> >
> > a
> >
> >>>>quick dash across the back of the tank but no more. As far as I can
tell
> >>>>they are not feeding, unless they are feeding on anything that the
Neons
> >>>>leave that sinks to the bottom.
> >>>>
> >>>>They are currently in a 15gall tank where I put them to ensure no Ich
> >>>>before
> >>>>they go into the Community tank...it is heavily planted and also has
two
> >>>>large pieces of driftwood where I guess they are hiding.
> >>>>
> >>>>I'm starting to think that this was a bad decision. I'm not sure that
I
> >>>>won't go through all this hiding, nervous thing when I put them in the
> >>>>Community tank which will add additional stress again. In a lot of
ways
> >
> > I
> >
> >>>>wish I had just taken my chances and put them straight into the tank,
> >>>>especially knowing the care levels given by the LFS (and his pride in
no
> >>>>Ich
> >>>>outbreaks in his shop).
> >>>>
> >>>>So what do I do? Do I move them now and let them get used to the
> >
> > Community
> >
> >>>>Tank? Do I leave them where they are and stress them again when I move
> >>>>them?
> >>>>Do I leave them in the 15gall until I have an established Clown Loach
> >>>>troupe
> >>>>in the Community that they can join? Do I let them settle and never
move
> >>>>them until they outgrow the tank?
> >>>>
> >>>>I know that Clowns can take a long time to settle....two of my
previous
> >>>>;-( took over a month but they did have Ich....
> >>>>
> >>>>The tank itself, in spite of adding substrate, water and filter medium
> >>>>from
> >>>>other established tanks is going through a mini-cycle and I'm thinking
> >>>>this
> >>>>may be adding to their stress. I'm getting on top of it and think it
> >
> > will
> >
> >>>>be
> >>>>through tomorrow or Tuesday.....the nitrites are around 0.3 today -
much
> >>>>higher yesterday (20% change done).
> >>>>
> >>>>Having lost my babies recently I just want these guys to do well....
> >>>>
> >>>>Any comments/advice welcome
> >>>>
> >>>>Thanks
> >>>>Gill
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
> >>>years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
> >>>
> >>>The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
> >>>shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
> >>>in to the ornament, but is out more often.
> >>>
> >>>About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
> >>>the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
> >>>gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
> >>>go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
> >>>
> >>>I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
> >>>color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
> >>>to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
> >>>
> >>>I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
> >>>groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
> >>>Clowns.
> >>>
> >>>dick
> >>
> >>I hope mine are ok, as they are all out nearly all day. As they are
always
> >>up before me, I peeped at them in June to see how early they got up. It
is
> >>linked to daylight, 4am, and now about 6am. They have brine shrimp for
> >>breakfast, 7am,all at top, with tank lights off. Tank lights go on at
> >>9.30am, and Alpha has a nap then for an hour. The other 7 stay up. There
> >
> > are
> >
> >>4 about 3.5" Alpha 4" and 3 little ones. They are at front, swimming,
> >>playing with each other, good colour. Alpha gets up, slighty greyed out,
> >>joins in, all waiting for lunch, a light veggie meal or algae wafers.
> >
> > Alpha
> >
> >>has another nap in his castle, 1 or 2 nap under plant at front, and all
up
> >>and playing again by 3pm. Their main meal is bloodworm or krill, which
> >
> > they
> >
> >>adore, around 6pm, and I use turkey baster to get it to gravel, in
several
> >>places, which helps to keep the rugby scrum a little better. The 5 go to
> >
> > bed
> >
> >>around 7pm, lights off , and the little ones stay up till about 8pm. I
can
> >>walk near tank to my kitchen without them hurrying away but they do hide
> >
> > if
> >
> >>strangers go to near. They really interact with each other and the
> >
> > platies,
> >
> >>knowing they are the dominant fish now angels have own tank. I have read
> >>they can be nocturnal, so maybe as they get older it will change, but
for
> >>now, I enjoy them all day. My cories in another tank are also up all
day,
> >>with naps inbetween, but not shy at all. It may be because I live on my
> >
> > own
> >
> >>and its quiet here that gives them all confidence. Mary
> >>
> >>
> >
> > My understanding is that more the merrier and that this gives them more
> > confidence - this was certainly my experience with the previous Clowns.
They
> > also had no respect whatsoever for any of the other fish - however,
dominant
> > the other fish was. In my tank it is a Blue 3 spot Gourami who rules all
the
> > other fish with a rod of iron but when it came to the Clowns they would
just
> > barge into him if he was in the way - lol
> >
> > The situation today is that two of them are getting brave enough to come
out
> > to the front of the tank occassionally and are also dancing up and down
the
> > back of the tank. I'm a bit worried about the third who is keeping to
> > himself on the side of the pump and not reacting at all when I approach
the
> > tank - in fact he is hardly moving at all - I do hope that he is
OK....he is
> > a little greyed out but no sign of Ich.
> >
> > The nitrites are going down in the tank - but this is still worrying me.
> > However, I'm still sticking with the advice to leave them alone rather
than
> > moving them into the other tank yet. Thinking of doing another water
change.
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
> Remember that a touch of salt is tremendously helpful for nitrite
> poisoning. Clowns (and most other fish, really) are much more tolerant
> of salt than nitrite. One tsp/five gallons is enough to help with
> nitrites and you can let it fall with your water changes once the
> nitrite is back to zero.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Thanks Elaine,
I'll test the water in the morning - this morning is was somewhere between
0.1 and 0.3 (boy I hate trying to guess shades of pink). If there is still
nitrite in the morning I've got some salt in the fish stores (scattered over
the house under various tank cabinets). It would certainly not be a bad
thing to do anyway especially as the main reason I am doing the QT is in
case of Ich.....

Gill

[Dick]

On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
wrote:


>I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
>years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>
I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4 to
5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.

>The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
>shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
>in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>
>About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
>the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
>gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
>go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>
>I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
>color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
>to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>
>I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
>groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
>Clowns.
>
>dick

I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.

dick

[Gill Passman]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
> wrote:
>
>
> >I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
> >years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
> >
> I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4 to
> 5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.
>
> >The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
> >shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
> >in to the ornament, but is out more often.
> >
> >About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding time,
> >the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
> >gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other 2
> >go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
> >
> >I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
> >color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
> >to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
> >
> >I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
> >groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
> >Clowns.
> >
> >dick
>
> I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
> haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.
>
> dick

Of todays acquistions one is very confident and already out and about. The
two are still hiding but slowly peeping out - they have been in the tank
around 30 mins. One of the three shy ones is starting to show himself a bit
more (8 days on) - the other two seem to prefer sleeping between the pump
and the glass.

I'm wondering if the difference is down to the amount of other fish activity
in the tank. The shy ones are with 6 Neons and nothing else. The 3 new ones
are in the established Community tank full of active fish....just a thought

Gill

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
>> >years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>> >
>> I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4 to
>> 5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.
>>
>> >The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
>> >shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
>> >in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>> >
>> >About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding
>> >time,
>> >the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
>> >gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other
>> >2
>> >go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>> >
>> >I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
>> >color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
>> >to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>> >
>> >I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
>> >groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
>> >Clowns.
>> >
>> >dick
>>
>> I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
>> haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.
>>
>> dick
>
> Of todays acquistions one is very confident and already out and about.
> The
> two are still hiding but slowly peeping out - they have been in the
> tank
> around 30 mins. One of the three shy ones is starting to show himself a
> bit
> more (8 days on) - the other two seem to prefer sleeping between the
> pump
> and the glass.
>
> I'm wondering if the difference is down to the amount of other fish
> activity
> in the tank. The shy ones are with 6 Neons and nothing else. The 3 new
> ones
> are in the established Community tank full of active fish....just a
> thought
>
> Gill


The term ditherfish is applied to having various fish swimming around
which make shy or suspicious fish more confident that it's safe, and they
come out more. There are many cichlids which will not go far out of
their caves unless they see ditherfish above them. By staying under
predators, they ensure they will not be first in an aerial attack
(birds), and the dither act as an early warning system for water-borne
predators. Clown loaches are colourful and scaleless, which are not very
good defence advantages either ;~), so they can be quite wary of new
places for a while, and then there is always one crazy one ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Gill Passman]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >
> > "Dick" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> >I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
> >> >years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
> >> >
> >> I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4 to
> >> 5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.
> >>
> >> >The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
> >> >shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
> >> >in to the ornament, but is out more often.
> >> >
> >> >About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding
> >> >time,
> >> >the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
> >> >gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other
> >> >2
> >> >go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
> >> >
> >> >I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
> >> >color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
> >> >to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
> >> >
> >> >I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
> >> >groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
> >> >Clowns.
> >> >
> >> >dick
> >>
> >> I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
> >> haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.
> >>
> >> dick
> >
> > Of todays acquistions one is very confident and already out and about.
> > The
> > two are still hiding but slowly peeping out - they have been in the
> > tank
> > around 30 mins. One of the three shy ones is starting to show himself a
> > bit
> > more (8 days on) - the other two seem to prefer sleeping between the
> > pump
> > and the glass.
> >
> > I'm wondering if the difference is down to the amount of other fish
> > activity
> > in the tank. The shy ones are with 6 Neons and nothing else. The 3 new
> > ones
> > are in the established Community tank full of active fish....just a
> > thought
> >
> > Gill
>
>
> The term ditherfish is applied to having various fish swimming around
> which make shy or suspicious fish more confident that it's safe, and they
> come out more. There are many cichlids which will not go far out of
> their caves unless they see ditherfish above them. By staying under
> predators, they ensure they will not be first in an aerial attack
> (birds), and the dither act as an early warning system for water-borne
> predators. Clown loaches are colourful and scaleless, which are not very
> good defence advantages either ;~), so they can be quite wary of new
> places for a while, and then there is always one crazy one ;~).
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>
The hope had been that the tetras would have acted as dither fish but this
hasn't been the case. So it appears to me that the only way to keep Clowns
really successfully is to put them into a busy, thriving Community Tank
rather than into a tank with a small number of fish.

It's also led me on to thinking about the behaviour that Dick reports with
his various collections of Clowns. I'm wondering if the behaviour relates to
the fish that they are kept with more than the environment itself. In my
case both tanks are heavily planted and contain driftwood for hiding in - so
the physical environment does not appear to be the key to reassuring Clown
Loaches. The tetras themselves are not sufficiently active to provide the
reassurance needed either. The activity in the main Community Tank evidently
is - the Clowns that I put in there yesterday are showing very few signs of
shyness. BTW I think all 3 are slightly crazy - they are even starting to go
and check out Plec Hollow much to the Plec's annoyance - a well established
and understood no go area for every other fish in the tank - lol

So now I'm curious as to what fish mixes others keep their Clowns with and
whether this bears out my experience.

Gill

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "NetMax" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >
>> > "Dick" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> >I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for
>> >> >over 2
>> >> >years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>> >> >
>> >> I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4
>> >> to
>> >> 5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.
>> >>
>> >> >The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one
>> >> >is
>> >> >shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one
>> >> >goes
>> >> >in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>> >> >
>> >> >About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding
>> >> >time,
>> >> >the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
>> >> >gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the
>> >> >other
>> >> >2
>> >> >go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>> >> >
>> >> >I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
>> >> >color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is
>> >> >hard
>> >> >to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>> >> >
>> >> >I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
>> >> >groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
>> >> >Clowns.
>> >> >
>> >> >dick
>> >>
>> >> I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
>> >> haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.
>> >>
>> >> dick
>> >
>> > Of todays acquistions one is very confident and already out and
>> > about.
>> > The
>> > two are still hiding but slowly peeping out - they have been in the
>> > tank
>> > around 30 mins. One of the three shy ones is starting to show
>> > himself a
>> > bit
>> > more (8 days on) - the other two seem to prefer sleeping between the
>> > pump
>> > and the glass.
>> >
>> > I'm wondering if the difference is down to the amount of other fish
>> > activity
>> > in the tank. The shy ones are with 6 Neons and nothing else. The 3
>> > new
>> > ones
>> > are in the established Community tank full of active fish....just a
>> > thought
>> >
>> > Gill
>>
>>
>> The term ditherfish is applied to having various fish swimming around
>> which make shy or suspicious fish more confident that it's safe, and
>> they
>> come out more. There are many cichlids which will not go far out of
>> their caves unless they see ditherfish above them. By staying under
>> predators, they ensure they will not be first in an aerial attack
>> (birds), and the dither act as an early warning system for water-borne
>> predators. Clown loaches are colourful and scaleless, which are not
>> very
>> good defence advantages either ;~), so they can be quite wary of new
>> places for a while, and then there is always one crazy one ;~).
>> --
>> www.NetMax.tk
>>
>>
> The hope had been that the tetras would have acted as dither fish but
> this
> hasn't been the case. So it appears to me that the only way to keep
> Clowns
> really successfully is to put them into a busy, thriving Community Tank
> rather than into a tank with a small number of fish.
>
> It's also led me on to thinking about the behaviour that Dick reports
> with
> his various collections of Clowns. I'm wondering if the behaviour
> relates to
> the fish that they are kept with more than the environment itself. In
> my
> case both tanks are heavily planted and contain driftwood for hiding
> in - so
> the physical environment does not appear to be the key to reassuring
> Clown
> Loaches. The tetras themselves are not sufficiently active to provide
> the
> reassurance needed either. The activity in the main Community Tank
> evidently
> is - the Clowns that I put in there yesterday are showing very few
> signs of
> shyness. BTW I think all 3 are slightly crazy - they are even starting
> to go
> and check out Plec Hollow much to the Plec's annoyance - a well
> established
> and understood no go area for every other fish in the tank - lol
>
> So now I'm curious as to what fish mixes others keep their Clowns with
> and
> whether this bears out my experience.
>
> Gill


LOL, fish psychology 101, and it's true. Their maturity, experience,
order of introduction and water parameters all seem to have an effect.
I've kept them by themselves (species tank), with Bala sharks (good),
Tiger barbs (confused entertainment), other botia loaches (so - so, they
seem to do best without that company), Monos (varied but ok), Angels
(*they* were ok, but ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Dick]

On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 11:17:23 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
>> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >
>> > "Dick" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:42:17 -0500, Dick >
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> >I have 11 Clowns in 3 tanks 75, 29 and 10 gal, been there for over 2
>> >> >years, sizes varying from 5 to 6 inches.
>> >> >
>> >> I want to correct the sizes I listed of my Clowns, they vary from 4 to
>> >> 5 inches, it is my Siamese Algae Eaterhs that are 5 to 6 inches.
>> >>
>> >> >The 2 in the 10 gallon tank are as different as day and night, one is
>> >> >shy and almost never comes out of "its" ornament. The other one goes
>> >> >in to the ornament, but is out more often.
>> >> >
>> >> >About the only time I see the 6 in the 75 gallon tank is feeding
>> >> >time,
>> >> >the rest of the time they stay in the bottom plant growth. The 29
>> >> >gallon is a mixed bag. One is out front most of the time, the other
>> >> >2
>> >> >go in and out of the "mountain" ornament.
>> >> >
>> >> >I am sorry that so often they choose to be recluses. I like their
>> >> >color and antics when they choose to be front and center. It is hard
>> >> >to say it is their surroundings as the 3 tanks are so different.
>> >> >
>> >> >I wish my Siamese Algae Eaters had some more color as they are
>> >> >groupies and are almost as artful in their brotherly love as the
>> >> >Clowns.
>> >> >
>> >> >dick
>> >>
>> >> I had forgotten about the "clicking sounds" made by the Clowns. I
>> >> haven't noticed them doing so for awhile.
>> >>
>> >> dick
>> >
>> > Of todays acquistions one is very confident and already out and about.
>> > The
>> > two are still hiding but slowly peeping out - they have been in the
>> > tank
>> > around 30 mins. One of the three shy ones is starting to show himself a
>> > bit
>> > more (8 days on) - the other two seem to prefer sleeping between the
>> > pump
>> > and the glass.
>> >
>> > I'm wondering if the difference is down to the amount of other fish
>> > activity
>> > in the tank. The shy ones are with 6 Neons and nothing else. The 3 new
>> > ones
>> > are in the established Community tank full of active fish....just a
>> > thought
>> >
>> > Gill
>>
>>
>> The term ditherfish is applied to having various fish swimming around
>> which make shy or suspicious fish more confident that it's safe, and they
>> come out more. There are many cichlids which will not go far out of
>> their caves unless they see ditherfish above them. By staying under
>> predators, they ensure they will not be first in an aerial attack
>> (birds), and the dither act as an early warning system for water-borne
>> predators. Clown loaches are colourful and scaleless, which are not very
>> good defence advantages either ;~), so they can be quite wary of new
>> places for a while, and then there is always one crazy one ;~).
>> --
>> www.NetMax.tk
>>
>>
>The hope had been that the tetras would have acted as dither fish but this
>hasn't been the case. So it appears to me that the only way to keep Clowns
>really successfully is to put them into a busy, thriving Community Tank
>rather than into a tank with a small number of fish.
>
>It's also led me on to thinking about the behaviour that Dick reports with
>his various collections of Clowns. I'm wondering if the behaviour relates to
>the fish that they are kept with more than the environment itself.

Over the past 2 years my 29 and 75 gallon community tanks have become
quieter. I see a spike of activity around meal time. Color is about
the same. Right now I can see 2 of the 3 clowns in the 29 gallon
tank, but not one in the 75. In the 10 both of the Clowns are in
"their" castle ornament. My tanks have no "aggressive" fish, the SAEs
move quickly at times and are larger than the Clowns, but they never
bully. It has only been in the last 6 months that I noticed that all
the fish kind of just "hang out", not a lot of movement except feeding
time. If the fish were staying at the top, I would be worried, but
they cluster at the bottom down with the vegetation. Just the 2
mollies and one of my 2 Blue Gouramis stay at the top of the 75 gallon
tank. In the 29 gallon tank my Black Angelfish holds a large area as
"hers", but that changes from top to bottom to middle. the Red
Serpaes swim about, but move in and out of the huge Crypts that occupy
half the tank. Strange about the Crypt, it has grown to the top of
the tank. I have transplanted some to the 75 hoping to get some tall
growth in it, but as new leaves arrived they grew to the same height
as those already in the 75, about 3 inches compared to the 18 inches.
when planted.

I don't test my water often, but got curious recently. All tests were
right where they always have been and water clarity couldn't be
better. My fish have good color and are always very active at meal
times, they eat twice daily.

As they age, perhaps lacking any threats, they just mellow out. Even
the 8 White Clouds are less active and stay closer to the bottom. It
has been over 2 years since I added any new fish. I continue to do
20% water changes twice weekly. The fish move to the side of the tank
away from the syphon, but do not seem disturb otherwise. They just
seem to have mellowed out. Perhaps age.




> In my
>case both tanks are heavily planted and contain driftwood for hiding in - so
>the physical environment does not appear to be the key to reassuring Clown
>Loaches. The tetras themselves are not sufficiently active to provide the
>reassurance needed either. The activity in the main Community Tank evidently
>is - the Clowns that I put in there yesterday are showing very few signs of
>shyness. BTW I think all 3 are slightly crazy - they are even starting to go
>and check out Plec Hollow much to the Plec's annoyance - a well established
>and understood no go area for every other fish in the tank - lol
>
>So now I'm curious as to what fish mixes others keep their Clowns with and
>whether this bears out my experience.
>
>Gill
>