plants safe for clown loach aquariums

[starzone]

What other fish do you have in that tank of yours?
My 170L used to be home to a clown loach, and I had elodea densa and another plant in there too. Never had any issues with fish eating the plants, but I did notice that elodea densa can get a bit out of hand if you don't trim it regularly. Branches tend to break off and float away, so it does need some maintenance.
Good luck with your setup, and keep us posted. I'd love to see how your planted tank and loaches turn out.

[starlord]

My Clown Loaches are like little plant pruners - they just love to take chunks out of my beautiful Sword plant, leaving it with these distinctive holes. I swear, it's like they're marking their territory or something. But the weird thing is, they leave all my other plants alone - I've got Crypts, Bolbitis, Jave fern, Alternanthera (which is great, by the way, since I get these gorgeous red leaves) and Rotala rotundifolia, which is probably the most delicate-looking plant I've got, but even my Rainbow fish don't bother it. And I've even tried feeding it to my Goldfish, but they just won't touch it - it's like it's off-limits or something.

[kingrise]

I'd love to see some photos of your plants, it might help us identify if there's a nutrient deficiency at play. Loaches do have a tendency to munch on plants in the wild, so it's not entirely surprising they're doing it in your tank. While it's unlikely you can completely prevent it, we might be able to pinpoint the cause and find a way to minimize the damage.

[starlord]

The last photo's a textbook case of clown loach behavior - can't say I'm surprised. I've learned to live with the damage myself, embracing the imperfections as part of the aquarium's character. For me, it's about finding a balance between plant health and loach happiness. The sword plant's still thriving despite the holes, and I've come to see it as a unique part of its charm. Maybe consider adding more of the plant they love to munch on, or just accept that it's part of the deal - after all, it's all about embracing the Wabi Sabi philosophy, right?

[starlord]

I'm a huge fan of clown loaches - I've got four and I could easily see myself with four more. The first month can be a bit of a challenge, but after that, it's like they're part of the family. They're this perfect blend of elegance and energy, and they've got such great personalities. What's not to love?