wrote:
Hi Group,

The tanks are going well and the Clown Loaches (with lots and lots of
hiding places) are getting big (few inches long now), their out and
about alot! I'm really lovin it, the cats are mezmorized too. Thanks
for the past help to get me here.

There is one Loach, however, who seems to be just chasing every one all
the time. Once I even saw him having a "mouth toug of war" with another
one. He really seems to upset the apple cart... Is this a problem?
Should I give him back to the store where he may end up with more
suited (wishful thinking) tank mates ? He's also always had a sort of
"washed out" color not looking so nice but that has nothing to do with
thinking about what (if anything) to do with him... I'm not even sure
if it's a problem but it seems stressful for the community with a
serial mugger on the loose.

It's a 55 gal with 6 Clown Loaches and one Botia Dario, all still small
(under 2" or so). I'm tempted to add 2-3 more clowns but like to keep
my tanks under populated and over filtered with a AQ 110 and 50.
Should/can I add a few more safely? I really love these silly litte
critters!!

Thanks all, best as always, Karl.



The Clown Loach in question is trying to establish himself as the alpha
Clown Loach - IME and from my reading no damage gets done to the other
fish but ymmv...The loss of colour is known as "greying out"...For some
great information on Clown Loaches and their behaviour check out
www.loaches.com

If you remove the Clown in question another Clown Loach will attempt to
become the Alpha fish and there is a strong possibility that you will go
through the whole thing again. I would hang on to him - once the pecking
order is established you will see less and less of the "sparring"
although it will never go away entirely.

Another option is to try and find a Clown Loach that is significantly
larger than the rest - he will then become the undisputed alpha and your
"thug" may well be put in his place

So IMO it is normal Clown behaviour....

Gill

PS I love the little things as well - I've currently got 6 - 3 in my 6
foot tank and another 3 in QT waiting to join them in the big tank....