Clown loaches with Malawi cichlids?

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by Morak, Feb 17, 2010.

  1. Morak

    Morak

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    What's your say on keeping these together? I have seen them in a number of malawi tanks.
     
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  3. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    I wouldn't keep them under 28 degrees. They just won't be healthy in the long run. Also they prefer well planted tanks with lots of shade and fairly low light. Despite what you read, they don't care too much about ph and water hardness. They adapt just fine to hard or soft water.
     
  4. OP
    Morak

    Morak

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    Does anyone have any bad experiences keeping these with malawi's. I currently have two blue botias that where dumped in my tank by a friend are are doing very well. Was thinking of adding two clown loaches, want to know if this is a good or bad idea?
     
  5. kathie

    kathie

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    I have 2 Clown Loaches in my malawi tank with no problems.
     
  6. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    And one more thing. They should be kept in groups of 5 or more.
     
  7. OP
    Morak

    Morak

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    Gonna get some this weekend it seems. Do you know of any pet stores in jbh/pta that have them and prices?

    Thanks,
     
  8. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

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    I'm just going to step in here and say no.

    Despite the fact that, yes, they are fairly adaptable fish, as an aquarist you should do your best to keep them in their most ideal conditions. In this case, soft and acidic water are the 'ideal conditions'. Clown Loaches are also very prone to various ailments that arise from stress, most commonly white spot disease, which is the bane of many Clown Loach owners. Despite being kept in water that is out of their natural range, they're now also going to be subject to the aggression, territorial behavior and general bad manners of cichlids from Lake Malawi.

    Do the right thing and just keep the fish out of your setup.
     
  9. Henk Hugo

    Henk Hugo

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    i'm with TroutBoy here - do not keep softwater fish in hardwater
     
  10. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    While I totally agree with the above, you should know that most fish are adaptable. But consider the fact that all clown loaches you see for sale are wild caught and by the time they get to your tank they are pretty stressed out. I have never had white spot (ich) problems, because I keep mine at 28 degrees and feed them a varied diet of high quality food. As they get older, they also need more "meaty" food. They need lots of hiding places to feel comfortable. And no strong light. And they love strong current. They are very sensitive to chlorine and pretty much any medication you can buy over the counter to treat external disseases. If you want to know if your water has too much chlorine then get a clown loach to test. It sounds cruel, but it is a true test. If he lives, then you don't need a dechlorinator product!

    Provide them with conditions they prefer and they will grow old in your tank. In the wild they can live up to 50 years!
     
  11. OP
    Morak

    Morak

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    Thanks for all the advice, it is appreciated. What other fish can i add to the malawi tank? Currently have +-30 of them in there with 2 synodontis catfish, 2 blue botias and a polypterus.
     
  12. Henk Hugo

    Henk Hugo

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    well you are mixing soft and hardwater fish... best to do your reseach - get rid of the softwater fish or the malawis....
     
  13. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Generally a Malawi tank should be a species only tank.
     
  14. OP
    Morak

    Morak

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    Thanks for the replies, will give the clowns a miss.
     
  15. DanH

    DanH

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    Clowns are egg eaters, Ive seen plenty of times a female Malawi lay the eggs, and before the male can get a chance to fertilize the eggs the clown loach swoops in and gobbles the eggs. Its a popular thing to keep clown with Malawis, but not correct in therms of the habitats they need.
     

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