How big do Clown Loaches get?

[steelshade]

There is the possibility that they will eventually double in length. But that will take quite a few years.

 

[Crazyfish88]

I dont know man... Those are some big predators. Remember Loaches have suborbital spines like little razors under each eye. Best-case scenario=peaceful coexistence. Worst-case scenario=loaches stuck in another fish's throat, killing one or both of them. Loaches are pretty good at outrunning predators, though.

Ya I was thinking that too about their spines. The guys I bought are pretty fat though and I will add some more hiding spots in my 225g for them. I have a large piece of driftwood in my tank already but I will need to add more because that's where my Tig and birchirs hide.

Some pics of some of the largest loaches I ever imported.They will get big but it takes forever.

Wow those are huge. Very nice! My friend has a school of 50 loaches in his tank but they are only 3-4" each. Looks so nice in a huge school of them.

 

[Vincentii]

northern borneo clown loaches max at 15+ inch.
southern borneo clown loach (ones commonly found in lfs) max at 8''.

 

[A. IMPORTZ]

These were about 8-10inch

 

[West1]

A close friend of the family has a 10"er and he said its 12yrs old

Next time i go, ill snap a pic (next time i go, it will probly be in the year 3010 Lol)

 

[Stinkiray]

Average max size would be about 8-10". And I'll bet those 5/6" ones you have(if you do buy) will maybe max somewhere there in a few years?

 

[EmilyMarie85]

Average size that I have heard/read in captivity is 11"-12" - keep in mind that is a 20ish year old loach, some fishaholics claim to have loaches 15" +... (growth slows a TON @ 6" ish as reported above)

IMO - If you purchase a clown loach (please tell me you purchased/own a total of at least 4; 6 would be better; even more is best) - that you plan to either sell when they outgrow your tank/excede your tank size capabilities/budget - or keep for minimum 20ish years (some people report 30 years). - Best way to think of a clown loach is a very old dog or cat - 20-30 year commitment - they have awesome personalities and live a very long time (for a pet)!

 

[JakeH]

Big CL's pull big price tags... My oldest batch is nearing the 6" mark, so I may start selling off some of the big boys soon.

 

[Zeppelin3k]

Mine are in the 11-12" range and i am guessing that they are about 15years old.

 

[DDFishPets]

Biggest one's I've ever seen were about 11-12 inches. They take basically forever to get that big though.