Happy New Year. My Clown Loaches are now 29 years of age.

[Redshark1]

What has happened over the past year with my Clown Loaches? Not much but as usual they have benefitted from my constant careful attention. As always I have found some small ways of improving things. In 2022 they needed a replacement 300W heater and 58W T8 light tube, I improved the venturi on the powerheads to maximise oxygenation, they are enjoying the addition of occasional Frozen Cooked Mussels and Fluval Bug Bites to their diet, I am now cleaning the ornaments with hydrogen peroxide rather than glutaraldehyde and I have begun scraping the algae from the back and sides of the glass as well as the front because the fur-like algae was shedding into the water column which didn't look good.

All of them seem healthy. The largest, Anthia, has lost some weight (which may be a sign of old age) but is still very dominant and I fully expect them all to reach 30 years of age this time next year. It doesn't seem long since I was aiming for 20 year old Clown Loaches.

 

[RD.]

Well done amigo. Nice to see another yearly update.

 

[phreeflow]

Amazing!

 

[Cardeater]

As I said in the other thread, I love the yearly updates. Glad everything is still going well in the tank.

 

[sokolis]

Those look so cool at that size. They remind me of little whales. I complement you on the many years of care.

 

[Pazzoman]

Incredible that you have had them for so long, what temperature do you keep them at? Since I see temp for them is all over the place

 

[jjohnwm]

I must admit that I have never truly understood the cult-like following that is enjoyed by Clown Loaches...I've never had them and don't really care to...but the dedication displayed here is astonishing, regardless of the species of fish. Well done!

 

[Redshark1]

Incredible that you have had them for so long, what temperature do you keep them at? Since I see temp for them is all over the place

I have always kept mine at 80F.

Clown Loaches are popular because to many people they are visually attractive having an attractive colour, pattern and interesting shape. They also have fascinating interactive social behaviour. They are easy to keep as they require no special water conditions or feeding and they are peaceful with a long lifespan. They deserve their popularity because they deliver what many people are looking for in a fish.

 

[RD.]

Clown Loaches are popular because to many people they are visually attractive having an attractive colour, pattern and interesting shape. They also have fascinating interactive social behaviour. They are easy to keep as they require no special water conditions or feeding and they are peaceful with a long lifespan. They deserve their popularity because they deliver what many people are looking for in a fish.

Well said. Fascinating fish, and have always been a constant in at least one or more of my tanks over the years.

Years ago I kept a group of approx. 15 clown loaches by themselves in a 6ft 125 gallon species only tank. When the tank lights went off each loach would within minutes gravitate to their special resting spot in the tank. They appeared to sleep in the exact same spot each night, and I had several with unique markings so it was easy to establish who rested where. Some laid on the sand, some in caves, some in special nooks of the driftwood, some laid on open stretches of a certain section of a specific piece of driftwood. I had never seen this behavior over the years when keeping them in any type of community set up.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm another clown loach fan, they tick every single box for me. Once you get them past that vulnerable stage when they are tiny, and as long as you have a good sized pack, then they are extremely rewarding.

I'm years off yet seeing mine develop into the specimens that Redshark1 has, but I'm loving the journey so far.