Should I buy more Clown Loaches?

sweetwaterarabians

Last year I had a bad problem with snails. I had tried everything to get rid of them to no avail. As a last resort I bought 3 clown loaches. I have always loved these fish but I know that they can get quite big and there needs to be a lot of them. But I got them anyway and they helped me out a lot. One Clown was more assertive than the other two and pestered the other two to death leaving just him. I thought this was quite odd being that they are schooling fish but leave it to me to get one that has a rebel disposition. I've had him for over a year on his own and he's been a great fish but I feel guilty just having him.

I have a 55 gallon tank with him (about 4"), 1 large 8" pleco, 15 cardinal tetras, 4 corys, 2 otos, and a few small guppies. The cardinals are fairly new and I'm just praying they stay alive. So far so good. I worry about over loading my tank if I add a few more Clowns. What should I do? This is a well established tank that I've had for years.

sweetwaterarabians

I should also add - Our LFS have very poor quality Clown Loaches so I have to order them through the mail to get decent ones. It will cost me quite a bit of money to order him enough buddies. Will he be ok being alone? He seems alright and has lots of places to hide.

Lupin

If you have no plans upgrading, replace it with Botia kubotai, Botia striata or Botia histrionica.

okiemavis

Lupin's right. Clown loaches grow to be over a foot long, which means your 55 gallon tank will never accommodate him. Yes, he would be much happier with friends, but there's no way they would fit in your tank. I'd return the Clown Loach and get something more appropriate for a 55G tank.