substrate for clown loaches

JesseGoslee · Post by **JesseGoslee** » 01 Feb 2004, 16:00

Hi all.Im new to this forum.I was wondering what substrate is ideal for clown loaches?Is sand an option?Also how high of a ph can they tolerate?I added 2 clown loaches to my african cichlid tank as a cleanup crew.Sand is the substrate and the ph is at 8.0.Thanks.

Post by **Silurus** » 01 Feb 2004, 16:07

They prefer a soft substrate like sand, but your pH is too high for them to do well.

Post by **Barbie** » 01 Feb 2004, 19:00

I've actually kept clown loaches in a pH of 8.6 successfully. My mother still has them in that display tank with her water with a kH of 17 degrees. They're over 5 inches now, if not close to 6. It can be done, you just have to acclimate them slowly, and keep up on your water changes, keeping in mind that ammonia will be 10 times as toxic in that water as it would be in the ideal conditions for them. Filtration will be very important, along with not overfeeding. Clowns do pretty well with africans, as long as they have a narrow cave or two where they can wedge themselves if aggression levels get too high.

Barbie

Post by **Silurus** » 01 Feb 2004, 19:10

I've actually kept clown loaches in a pH of 8.6 successfully.

I'm sure you can. It's just not something I would recommend for anyone starting out with this fish.

JesseGoslee · Post by **JesseGoslee** » 01 Feb 2004, 19:23

I have great filtration.The water is really good.Just a high ph.I didnt know that amonia was more toxic in higher ph.Why is that?

Post by **Silurus** » 01 Feb 2004, 19:29

Why is that?

With increasing pH, more ammonia disassociates into its unionized form. it is this unionized form that is toxic to fishes.

Beersnob · Post by **Beersnob** » 03 Feb 2004, 03:23

Silurus wrote:
Why is that?
With increasing pH, more ammonia disassociates into its unionized form. it is this unionized form that is toxic to fishes.

And why your pH is getting more alkaline (higher).