I know most of the literature recommends large tanks in the long run for clown botias. But have any of you kept them happily and indefinately- like FOREVER- in a medium sized tank? Mine is 45 gallons and a meter- (39 inches) long. For those of you that have had them for years, how big have the gotten to? Thanks
Clown loaches: Really- how big a tank?
- Thread starter yehoshua
- Start date
6"
I have 4 in a tall 55 gallon and they are 5 to 6" long. They were in a 105 gallon tank but got demoted when I got discus.
I have 4 in a tall 55 gallon and they are 5 to 6" long. They were in a 105 gallon tank but got demoted when I got discus.
I've had five for more than 2 years in a 55 gallon... They are all around 5-6" and seem happy enough.
I have 8 in an 80 gallon, but they are all babies.
Give them lots of shade and caves and they will be just fine. Though, I suspect at night they harass smaller fish when they get around 6". Possibly eating them.
I have 8 in an 80 gallon, but they are all babies.
Give them lots of shade and caves and they will be just fine. Though, I suspect at night they harass smaller fish when they get around 6". Possibly eating them.
tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
How big? Imo, that depends on how many clowns you have and how long you plan on keeping them.
Clowns can probably live over 50 years in captivity. Capitol Aquarium in Sacramento California has some clowns that are probably over 14" and over 40 years old. They are housed in a 2000g tank. http://loaches.com/species_pages/clown_capitol_aquarium.html
Right now, I have over 50 clowns. I could never house all my clowns in one tank, so I have multiple tanks linked together with water-tunnel bridges. I have 460 total gallons of water and a total footprint of 38 sq ft. In the future, I plan on adding a large indoor pond to my set-up. Although it may seem nearly impossible, I will try to breed the clown loaches someday.
I think having a greater footprint matters more than greater water volume.
Frequent water changes and keeping the filters clean can substitute the need for greater water volume.
How big of a tank is needed?
I don't think a tank under 180 g's is sufficient enough to house a group of clown loaches for their maximum potential lifetime (40+ years). Smaller tanks (under 100g) might keep them well for 5-10 years.
Clowns can probably live over 50 years in captivity. Capitol Aquarium in Sacramento California has some clowns that are probably over 14" and over 40 years old. They are housed in a 2000g tank. http://loaches.com/species_pages/clown_capitol_aquarium.html
Right now, I have over 50 clowns. I could never house all my clowns in one tank, so I have multiple tanks linked together with water-tunnel bridges. I have 460 total gallons of water and a total footprint of 38 sq ft. In the future, I plan on adding a large indoor pond to my set-up. Although it may seem nearly impossible, I will try to breed the clown loaches someday.
I think having a greater footprint matters more than greater water volume.
Frequent water changes and keeping the filters clean can substitute the need for greater water volume.
How big of a tank is needed?
I don't think a tank under 180 g's is sufficient enough to house a group of clown loaches for their maximum potential lifetime (40+ years). Smaller tanks (under 100g) might keep them well for 5-10 years.
I'd say no less than a 55, preferably a 75.(U.S. measurements)
But, some can turn into huge lunkers (usual max. size: 12 inches), and will need a bigger tank.
But, some can turn into huge lunkers (usual max. size: 12 inches), and will need a bigger tank.
To my knowledge... they usually get to about 8" in captivity but that may be due to growth being stunted by either small space or bad water quality. I would think you would need at least 100 gallons because they can easily get bigger than 10" each. They are also very active... the more room the better.
