how many clown loach and what size?

[silvercolour1968]

I have a 180 uk gallon aquarium with
1 Red tiger Oscar
1 albino Oscar
1 Ornate Bichir
1 L001 Gold Spot Plec
1 Ruby Shark
2 Hybrid Synodontis
1 Galaxian Plec
1 Tiger Plec
1 Clown Plec
1 Raphael Catfish

I would like to add some clown loach as i have had them before in a smaller tank but lost them due to white spot, how many could i add to this tank and what size would be safe so my oscars dont munch on them, the oscars are only about 6-7 inch at the moment?

[MatsP]

That doesn't sound like a good tank to add clown loaches to. They like heavily planted tanks with good amount of decorations, and there are plenty of bottom-dwelling fish already, which will compete for hiding spaces.

Edit: I moved your post, as it's not about "any other variety of catfish", but about loaches...

--
Mats

[silvercolour1968]

That doesn't sound like a good tank to add clown loaches to. They like heavily planted tanks with good amount of decorations, and there are plenty of bottom-dwelling fish already, which will compete for hiding spaces.

Edit: I moved your post, as it's not about "any other variety of catfish", but about loaches...

--
Mats

Where in my post did I say there were little hiding places and that the tank is not heavily planted?
Has anyone else have any opinions of how mmany clowns and what's a good size to go with my oscars?

[sidguppy]

you are aware of the fact that Clown Loaches reach the adult size of at least 1 foot and even if they stay short of that, they'll hit 8-10" with ease?

as for groups go: 5 is a nice number for them
but there are several conflicts in there waiting to happen; not in the least the Ruby Shark (I assume it's some sort of Labeo or Epalzeorhynchus spp?) and the hybrid Syno's.
large hybrid Syno's are known for their agressive behaviour and not a good mix with the active but very peaceful Clownloach.

[RickE]

I have a group of 5 that I bought at about 1" long 3 years ago. They are now a strapping 5" or so. Lovely active fish and I have never seen any signs of aggression with their tankmates.

[Acanthicus]

That doesn't sound like a good tank to add clown loaches to.

That doesn´t sound like a good tank at all to me. Reminds me of a chowder. Ten different species, from different regions of the world, with partial totally different manners of behaviour. The tank itself is really nice (If I am right that 180 uk gallons are more or less 800litres) but I wouldn´t add anything to the tank. Don´t get me wrong silvercolour, but thats my view of this tank, it´s more a collection of fish.

[silvercolour1968]

It started as a community tank but evolved, i did have 7 clowns up until a couple of months ago but when i introduced 2 young oscars i had a real bad case of ich which killed off the clowns, one oscar also died and the remaining one was segregrated to recover as some thing had been attacking it.
when the tank settled down and the remaining oscar gained strengh and size it put it back in the then 320li tank.
i since have upgraded to 180gallon 800li 24"x30"x72" i know all the fish are compatible and i know the clowns are as well, it may be a mix of fish but they have grown together in a community and it works well.

all i was asking is what size and how many clowns to add so they are not eaten by my oscars which are now 6-7" long and if it would adversely effect the bio load

[Bas Pels]

Being Dutch, ytou expect me to be bold. So I am bold.

You inquire after the desirability of adding clown loaches, but the answer was - no, you better not add them. In fact, your current fishes don't combine at all.

But you disliked these answers. So why did you bother inquiring at all?

I don't think I should bother writing about the problems with the combination oscar big clown or oscar little clown. But than, perhaps it might be the last drop.

Big clowns will hit the oscar back with the thorns under their eyes. Little clowns will be eaten, that is, thje oscar will try to catch them, the will put up the spines, and the oscar and the clown will die.

After the first 2 clowns offered their live to dispose of these oscars, I'm afraid you will inquire after what happend with them

YOU happpened

[MatsP]

Where in my post did I say there were little hiding places and that the tank is not heavily planted?

You didn't. I made the assumption that your tank was suitable for at least some of the larger fish that you have in there: the Oscars. They need free substrate space to dig and rummage, and will "rearrange" any plants they don't like the position of (which tends to be most plants), so you clearly can not have a heavily planted tank (at least not longer term, when the Oscars get bigger). Whilst having plants is not a requirement, it's preferrable. Whilst fishkeeping isn't a democracy where the most votes win, in this case, I think it's sufficient to say that "good advice" is to not add clowns to your tank. It is, of course, your choice. But I guess you came here to ask for our thoughts on the subject?

So to answer your direct question, How many: None, and size doesn't really matter with this number...

--
Mats

[racoll]

That sized tank would make a fantastic display of over a dozen fully grown clown loaches, and would really do them justice. This is, however, without the other fishes.

So, I would also recommend leaving the clown loaches out, unless setting the tank up for them specifically.

Here and here is some more info about their needs.

I have a feeling that if you posted the same question at either of these two sites, you would get the same answers as here.

[silvercolour1968]

Thanks for the advise, I will leave out the clown. Loachs.

Is there any recommendations of what I could add as there's still plenty of space even allowing for the oscars growth?

[wrasse]

Hiyo silver!
Certain fish could hold their own in your tank... Most of the silver dollar family- metynnis or myleus, or medium sized barbs eg filament barbs.
But these are fast and greedy fish. The trick is to make sure food gets to your catfish!
Your filtration needs to be up to the job.
And, if you do have plants... The dollars and perhaps the barbs will eat them.

[silvercolour1968]

You have hit on a current problem my bottom feeders are not getting much or any food due to the greedy oscars. Anything I can do about it?

[wrasse]

The whole thing with a community of fish is that they live in harmony with each other.
If I were you I'd re-think your fish selection.
If it has to be oscars, then keep with them greedy fish like dollars and pimelodus cats- fast cats that get their share.
Remove the oscars and the choice widens.
I would not recommend keeping catfish and loach together.

[silvercolour1968]

Thanks I've lots to think about.

[MatsP]

As Wrasse says, setting up a community tank requires a bit of consideration as to what goes with what - it's not a "tickbox" on the label in a fish-shop/website saying "community fish" - not all "community fish" are good with all other "community fish". You need to consider who eats what and whether some fish are very greedy or shy, and make sure the fish gets enough of the right kind of food. And of course, that fish don't harm each other.

I think we have all made mistakes of mixing the wrong fish in the tank. It can be quite difficult to "learn from others' mistakes", but that's much better than fishing out corpses, or caring for fish with injuries or badly starved.

--
Mats

[Jools]

Given some of the responses above, I'd suggest its a good idea to find out what level of fishkeeping experience the OP has. It's all very well jumping up and down at a bad suggestion, but we lose a forum member and possibly an advanced fishkeeper if we don't carefully explain why the above selection is a dangerous cocktail.

If you're not up for doing that, suggest not posting.

This is a classic "they might survive" Vs "they will thrive" post that is often the way with beginner fishkeepers and some of the poor advice given by retailers.

If it were me, I'd return the Oscars and consider how the other fish might work best without clown loaches. If you're dead set on them, it's aquarium #2 I'd suggest...

Jools