Re: [GSAS-Member] Clown Loach Maturity and Skittishness

["Matt Staroscik" <matt@wrongcrowd.com>]

20 years?! Wow, that's cool.

I don't have that much experience, but my two cents is that it may take as
long as 2-3 months for clown loaches to become accustomed to you and their
new home. Assuming their home is properly set up for them, of course. It's
worth the wait, you'll see their personalities eventually.

>From what I have seen, their age doesn't seem to matter... it's mostly the
new surroundings that freak them out.

I saw the same thing with a pair of largish blue
botia<http://www.loaches.com/species-index/yasuhikotakia-modesta>I
adopted from another member--the name escapes me, sorry--anyway it
took 6
months before I'd see them any time besides feeding time. They are
still scaredy
fish though, and will often hide if I approach the tank.

- Matt S.

On 8/15/07, Hess, Clay A <clay.a.hess@boeing.com> wrote:
>
> Shango,
>
> I have three clown loaches I have had now for about 20 years.  In that
> time I have found that there are a number of things that make them more
> "Active" or skittish and some things that help them seem to settle down.
>
> Sooooo, things that make them active:
>
> New fish, especially new loaches
> Bright lights
> Little cover for them to hide within
> Poor water conditions
> Having to look for food
>
>
> Things that make them settle down:
>
> Size.....not sure if this is age related since the two occur together.
> Good cover....my 100 gallon tank is full of big plants that they can sit
> under the leaves of, and they seem to love that....as well as hiding in
> and around large pieces of wood.
> Fish that do not occupy the same strata within the aquarium.
> A full stomach......kinda like me, if I eat a big meal I don't move
> much.
> Illness
>
>
> So, this is a short list......there are many more things that impact
> their activity but some of these I think the aquarist can control.  For
> instance, the feeding is an easy one.  The lighting is another.  The
> cover within the tank is one.  Water conditions should be easy to
> maintain, and this one I cannot stress enough (pun intended).  My
> loaches do very well when the water quality is good, but, as it declines
> you can see the change in how they react to it.
>
> Hope this helps some,
>
> Clay
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Shango Los [mailto:Shango@shangolos.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 8:10 AM
> To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat'
> Subject: [GSAS-Member] Clown Loach Maturity and Skittishness
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> I have a school of 5 Clown fish and I got them about 8 weeks ago from my
> LFS.  They are small and look young but I don't know how young.  Right
> now they are VERY skittish.  If I come anywhere near the tank they
> disappear to the back of the tank under cover.  This does get tiring
> when trying to enjoy their antics.
>
>
>
> My friend has some that are at least a year older than mine and they are
> not skittish at all and actually nap out in the open and do that
> cuddling thing Clown Loaches do.
>
>
>
> Is this skittishness typical of young Clown Loaches?  If so, when do
> they tend to grow out of it?  I am wondering if it is the tank
> environment that is leaving them feeling unsafe or if it is simply their
> youth.  I have been unsuccessful finding anyone addressing this topic
> online.
>
>
>
> Any insight would be great.  I know some of you like Jack are really
> into these sweet fish.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Shango
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> Shango Los
>
>
>
> Phone: 206-595-9006
>
> Fax: 206-729-5271
>
> www.ShangoLos.com
>
> www.SunbreakShines.com
>
>
>
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