CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

by **Mistress** on Sun Mar 10, 2002 12:46 pm

I'm having a serious outbreak of snails in my tank. It was mentioned that Clown Loaches would be good to get because they like snails. The tank that has the snails is the tank I have my Pink Con in. I don't think a Clown will do well in my tank. I have big gravel, not sand. My PH is 7.6, I heard that Clowns like a PH of 7.2 and they require water changes just like and Oscar and are prone to getting ick. I have 2 flower pots for hiding, but my con loves his flower pot too. My con is NASTY so, I have a feeling this just may not work. I could be wrong...so, anyone with experience with the clown loaches please let me know what you think. I don't know of too many fish that can handle a pink con with an attitude problem. Thanks

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Michele

by **dethmunkee** on Sun Mar 10, 2002 1:46 pm

whats your tank size? the reason why they are prone to ick is because they are scaleless, and they are very sensitive to medications, so dont add those to your tank if you end up gettin them. what else is in your tank? theres plenty of other fish that can handle your snail prob...but i dont know if they can handle the con

by **gisela** on Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:50 pm

I'd agree to that. I also think there's no need to add any fish. Many snails usually indicate that there's enough food for many snails, so they're not bad for your tank cause they help to clean it, as Adam has already said. Some species will eat your plants though. Is that your problem?

Else I'd only try to avoid leftover fish food, perhaps feed several smaller portions to avoid food getting on the ground. You can continue to take the snails out by hand, crush them or put a lettuce leaf in the tank and later take it out with the snails that will have gathered on it.

I once had a terrible algae outbreak. This problem was solved after some weeks by a terrible snail outbreak. And this problem was solved after some weeks by simply leaving them alone. I'd also avoid chemical remedies as they may contain copper, and the dead snails could pollute your tank.

BTW, clown loaches are best kept in groups. Adults only start to quarrel if the tank is too small. And I don't think they would get along with your con.

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Gisela
moppel@gismo.owl.de

by **Qserv** on Sun Mar 10, 2002 7:23 pm

Hi Michelle,
I keep my clown loaches in a very low PH about 6, I have a friend who keeps his with africans with a PH over 8, They seem to be ok with almost any PH as long as they are slowly adjusted to it.
Also if you do get some you will need to get atleast 3, but 5-6 would be better. Mine are pretty tuff and dont take Sh!t from any other fish, I think the largest of my clown loaches would probobly hassle the convicts if they where kept together.
I think that would be the best way to thin out the snails and kept them under control - Mine have killed several of my large mystery snails and cleaned the shell out completly of all the smaller ones I have kept with them, seems to be there favourite food.

Mick.

by **Mistress** on Sun Mar 10, 2002 7:24 pm

My tank is 20gal. I have 1 pink con 6". The snails are not eating my plants and my food portions are small being there is only the 1 fish. I do not have any algae. He gets fed 2x a day 7am and 6pm. I also don't want to use chemical to get rid of the snails so I will try the lettuce leaf and I will continue to crush the snails by hand and just keep them under control. Thank you for the info

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Michele

by **Fish_Head** on Mon Mar 11, 2002 6:20 pm

I know what you mean Michele. Even though people said the snails I had weren't a problem, I couldn't stand them. They multiplied like crazy! You could take your con out for a while, let the clowns eat your snails, and establish territories. Maybe that would ease the introduction of new fish. Just a thought...Jason

by **bubbagump** on Sun Mar 17, 2002 1:47 am

clown loaches are cool

Website · by **jrskbm** on Sun Mar 17, 2002 1:01 pm

how about a blue botia, http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/bottomfeeders/bluebotia.asp. despite what the profile says, these are among the more aggressive loaches. i had one that picked on my midas. they, like clowns, can grow to 12", so would need a bigger tank eventually, or you could trade it in once your snail situation is under control. i believe these loaches are ok to keep solitary; they do not need groups like most other loaches. i had 2 and they fought all the time. if kept in groups, it must be larger groups (5+).