Why do clown loaches play dead?
Playing Dead Another behavior that clown loaches engage in, which has often scared clown loach keepers, is how they “play dead.” This is simply the way that clown loaches sleep or rest, on their side, remaining pretty much motionless.
How long do clown loaches live?
Although specimens in the wild will reach 40 to 50 cm, in the aquaria it is uncommon for C. macracanthus to attain more than 15 to 20 cm fork length. They are a very long-lived species, living up to 30 years. These fish have bifurcated spines under the eyes.
Why are my loaches dying?
Your kuhli loaches keep dying because of one of the following problems: Suboptimal water temperature. High levels of ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite. Water pH too high or too low.
Is it normal for clown loaches to lay on their side?
This is exactly what they are doing, in the same way that we lay down to have a sleep, Clown Loaches will often rest on their side or back. This is more common when they have settled in an aquarium and found their spot to rest in which will normally resemble some sort of cave.
Are clown loaches Hardy?
Hardy and easy to care for, Clown Loaches are an excellent choice for aquarists of any skill level.
Do clown loaches need friends?
It is absolutely essential to keep clown loaches in a group. They will be miserable and anxious unless they are in a group of six or more. These fish have evolved behaviourally to rely on strength in numbers. Without enough friends in their gang, they feel vulnerable to predators and will hide the majority of the time.
Do loach fish bury themselves?
In an aquarium, the kuhli loach can be very reclusive and, when startled, will dart underneath tank ornaments or bury itself, if a fine gravel or sandy substrate is present.
Why are my clown loaches pale?
Inadequate Social Interaction. Although normally their stripes are a dark black, you might find them gray or gray-blue. Stress is one of the primary causes for a clown loach’s stripe to fading. One of the biggest causes of stress for clown loaches is when they are not given an appropriate amount of social interaction.
Do Clown loaches jump?
I’ve had two very young clown loaches fully jump out of my tank in the middle of the night and die behind it. They seem to find enough room inbetween then covers that leaver room for the filter and heater wire.
Can you keep 3 clown loaches together?
Besides water quality, the most important factor for keeping clown loaches is keeping in mind that they are very active, social fish. So, they need to be kept in groups of at least five fish. This can be a problem.
What is a clown loach?
The clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus), or tiger botia, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the botiid loach family. It is the sole member of the genus Chromobotia. It originates in inland waters in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
Are clown loaches susceptible to Ichthyophthirius?
Clown loaches are particularly susceptible to Ichthyophthirius (ich),or white spot disease. Due to the fact that clown loaches have small or no scales, they are often not treated with full doses of medications.
Why do clown loaches make clicking sounds?
The barbels on the lower jaw are small and difficult to see. Clown loaches can make clicking sounds when they are happy, being territorial (used as a type of weapon/warning) or mating. This sound is produced by the grinding of their pharyngeal teeth .