I bought a clown loach about a week ago, and I only saw it once after adding him to my tank. Today I was getting concerned, so I pulled out every decoration in the tank, making sure to check inside any hollow ones. The loach is nowhere to be found. I searched the outside the tank in case it had jumped out. None of the other fish are big enough to have eaten it. So where could it possibly be?
2007-10-20 10:05:28 · 8 answers · asked by blah hah 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
It's not in the filter either.
2007-10-20 10:15:37 · update #1
If it's not outside the tank, it might still have been eaten if it had died. Even smaller fish will pick apart a larger dead one in little time.
Another possibility it that it's hiding well in the gravel. They usually aren't burrowers, but they have been known to do this, if they can't find another suitable hiding spot. So if you've checked the insides of all ornaments with an opening it would be able to squeeze through, you might check the gravel by gently running a stick or the end of your aquarium net through (just be prepared for a burst of action and the possibility of it trying to jump if you find it!).
Clown loaches are sociable fish and should be kept in groups of at least 3, but more would be preferable. Without "buddies" they tend to be more timid and hide. But at an adult size of 12-14 inces, I'd think about the size of the tank needed to keep just one, let alone three. Fortunately they grow slowly. They've also been known to school with tiger barbs which have similar coloring (and stay smaller) but these fish are semi-aggressive, also need to be kept in a school of 6+, and aren't suitable to keep with small peaceful fish.
2007-10-20 10:21:43 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
confident you are able to, i'm suitable now. I even have zebra, clown, yoyo, and yellow finned loaches mutually. bear in mind loaches decide for to be in communities of four-5 however. i do no longer yet all human beings acts effective so if no longer you ought to be effective. in case you do get a clown loach verify to get waiting to handle the tank for ich. Clown loaches get under pressure actually.
2016-12-15 04:52:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm....these things do happen. Nowhere to be found in the holes of your decor ? No bones ? No nooning ? OK, now I have heard from customers who have loaches, that they will partially burrow themselves in the substrate, especially if you have snails....
I have also heard that they greatly dislike the typical home aquarist's standard temperature of 77F or so...if you have a heater, SLOWLY, like over days raise it to 78F - 80F, and he should appear, but like I said that's what I've heard, I've never had a problem with these guys, but the tanks at our shop are really bare bones, and rather warm. So good luck, hope he turns up!
2007-10-20 10:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Jade W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the filter, and also try gently running your finger through the bottom substrate......they tend to bury themselves in it.
I "lost" my neurotic kuhli loaches for a couple of days that way, and I finally saw a little tail sticking up and there they were.
I hope you find him. Good luck!!! ;o)
2007-10-20 10:18:20 · answer #4 · answered by MrsCrabs 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Check all around the tank, further then you think -they can flap pretty far once they jump out.
2007-10-20 10:19:46 · answer #5 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its under the substrate. They always dig in the substrate
2007-10-20 15:51:40 · answer #6 · answered by Chad, M.D. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do these fish burrow under the rocks? Maybe that's where it is.
2007-10-20 10:18:02 · answer #7 · answered by karmel_delite01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dead and in the filter?
2007-10-20 10:12:15 · answer #8 · answered by glitsea 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋