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This weekend I went on the hunt for a trio of clown loaches. At one store I found two adorable little ones about 1.5" long. I rushed them home, got them comfortably settled in their new 75-gallon tank and went back out to look for a third clown. After a long day's search I finally found one. He was about twice their size but I thought it would be more important to complete the trio than to match sizes. Now that they've all been in the tank for a couple of days together I'm wondering if I made a mistake. The two small ones are always together and the larger one is always off by his lonesome. Should I return the large one and continue the search for a small one? or should I give them some more time to befriend one another?

Opinions and advice please?

I think that they should be fine. Sometimes fish just need time to adjust and sometimes others are more adventurous. The best thing would be to get them all a couple more friends

They'll eventually get together. I've got 7 from 3-6 inches and they all hang together.

Have fun, Mike

zoeandmaia

Here is a photo of one of my large Clowns with three small Clowns as you can see they get on very well together.
I dont think you will have any concerns with them.

Keith

keithgh attached this image:


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Great photo keithgh.

my small clown loaches (at like 1-3" dont get along with my big clown loach (at 8".

As mentioned, they should get along just fine. Be careful when it comes to food though, because the larger clown loach might push the smaller ones out of the way in its eagerness to feed. Also, I've heard stories of larger loaches unintentionally crashing into or running over smaller counterparts, though it usually doesn't harm the smaller fish. I guess what I'm getting at is that the larger loach *may* be too boisterous at times for its younger friends. Just be careful that that doesn't happen, and your three loaches should become fast friends.

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Actually it is the exact opposite of that. My large one is shy spends most of the day hiding while the small ones are running amuck.

well the cause for the difference is easy. the 2 small ones were in the same tank when you bought them so they are automatically friends lol. just gotta give it time till they decide they want more friends hehe.

I have one that tends to strike out on its own irrestpective of its size in relation to the other clown loaches.

Maybe you can add one that is an inbetweeney?

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