question about school size for clown loaches

[FooF]

okay, ive read alot of posts here and find alot of different suggestions as far as how many clowns should be kept together... some say 3 (wich i read alot on other sites as well) and some say 5+. what would everyone suggest? i have 3, one is slightly larger than the others and the smaller ones dont really hang out with the larger one as much. they all seem healthy and pretty happy, altho theyre not as active as my red fin loaches. would it make any difference if i maybe got another pair? or would i just be creating a 3rd group if they were slightly different size?

also, i already have 4 red fin, 3 clown and expecting 2 hillstream loaches soon. am i going to overstock my 130 if i were to put more clowns in?

input?

 

[jonathan03]

I would say that three isn't very many for a school. To me, a school of any fish is 6+. Clown loaches do get to be about 10" or so but you do have a very large tank. I would think that you can add a few more.

If you want fish to stick together and school, you should really buy them all at once, the same size at the same store. Fish that have lived together from when they are young, have a much better chance of schooling.

There is someone who posts on here that has a really nice tank with 10+ clown loaches in it. I'm sure that they will be able to give you some more advice.

 

[StreetCypher]

You should at least double your 3.

 

[FooF]

sorry, i have 9 loaches, i forgott my pair of tigers for a moment. heh.

wow, so 6 would be okay???? im not sure.
i really really dont want to get into an overstocking problem again like i did with my 55 so im being extra careful now.

 

[StreetCypher]

clowns are pretty slow growers, by the time they get big and nice, you won't mind getting a larger tank for them, or another tank for you other fish.

 

[FooF]

if thats the case i think ill stick with 3.
130 gallons is the largest tank either place i can order from can get.
i was actually looking for a 150 when i found out all i could get was a 130 and it had to be special ordered.

 

[Candycat21]

I would add 2 more clowns. I have 5 in my tank and I bought them at different times. They are always out at the front of the tank, playing games with each other and exploring the tank. IMO 5 is a good school number for these guys, unless you have the room for more than that of course.

 

[JosephMCorbett]

Hey Foof, what about all of your other fish? I think you are at the borderline with an overstocking problem already. You need a 240 lol.

 

[Holly9937]

If you find a lone clown loach you could always buy him and rescue him . !!!!

 

[Haymarket]

I have 3 clowns (~5"), and they are very active and school together almost all of the time (unless one is sleeping). I don't see a problem with just having 3. Mine seem great, but they are my first CLs and I haven't had them real long. I would add more if I thought there was a good reason to. Is there a reason that they would do better with more, other than "you should have more than 3"?