clown loaches

Exactly how fast do clown loaches grow? I've just recently bought two more to go with my older lonely one. They're about half his size right now, maybe an inch and a half long. I'm wondering if they'll play together even though they're different sizes? Also, the new loaches are quite pale in comparison with my older loach, will they color up with age or not?

Thanks :mrgreen:

 

In my experience, most fish and suckers and stuff tend to catch up to each other fairly fast. How old is the one you have (approximately)? Even if they don't get to be the exact same size I think that they should interact with each other in time (maybe a couple weeks?). They will realize that they are the same species. As far as the colour goes I couldn't really say for shure as there are so many different shades of colour in each identical species. I often have replaced fish that have passed away so the one(s) left aren't "lonely" and often the new one (s) are either slightly brighter or darker or just plain more colourful. Somewhat like all humans have different colour hair and skin and stuff. Enjoy watching them make friends with each other! L.O.L. I was sooo excited when I replaced a dwarf frog that had died of old age and the existing frog (Toader the 7th) found the new one (Toader the 8th) and then they were on top of each other!!! I think they hit it off! :wink:

 

Hi ceverettes! I've had my first loach for about six or so months. His buddy died shortly after and now that the lfs had some in I couldn't pass up the chance to get him new buddies. I hear they can be quite darling when in small groups of about six, but I just don't have the space for that considering their adult size is about 8".

 

What size tank are they going to be in? Wow 8" you say! I would say that a trio should do the trick then ( scavenging & algea maintenence) L.O.L!!! If it is a larger tank they should catch up quickly I would guess within a coulpe months or so (assuming that the one you first bought was young when you purchased it).

 

Oh yes the first one was young when purchased, although not quite this small. I've heard they get 8" in tanks, but over two feet long in the wild and can live up to 50 years. I only have them in my 20 gallon right now, I actually just bought the original two for snail control, but then I started loving them! They are supposed to be slow growers though, but that's actually what I was wondering too; whether or not that's true.

 

:-# I don't know exactly how quickly they grow myself. I do however believe that if you put them in a 20 gallon tank to start they won't grow as quickly as they would if you put them in say, a 100 gallon tank right away. Though this is only what I have been told by various L.F.S. staff, which is not always accurate. Out of curiosity do yours do a good job on the algea?

 

If I'm not mistaken, they grow somewhat quickly up to about 3"; they should reach that point within about a year. After that they slow down considerably and can take about 10 years to reach their full size.

-Chelle

 

Thanks Chelle! I've heard just so many conflicting growth stories I wasn't sure. And ceverettes, mine don't do anything for algae. They do forage along the bottom and I just love to see them sucking on snails but I've never seen them go near my algae, my CAE's keep that well under control though

 

Hi, i'm a bit baffled as my Dad bought 3 clowns about 2 years ago they were about 2 inches, now 1 is 7", 1 is 5" and the ther has only grew about 1/2". My own clowns seem to be growing at a steady rate but not really quickly.