Just got my 1.5 inch oscar some new friends today. 2 1.5 inch clown loaches. At first Champ(my oscar) wasn't too fond of his new tank mates. But once he saw the loaches eating some shrimp pellets i had put in for them, he thought he was one of the loaches. The three fish ate side by side with no problems. Hopefully Champ and the clowns continue to get along this well. Time will tell.

your hopes may turn to sorrow, 1.5" clowns will still be 1.5" clowns when your oscar is 6" and if they are still there he may eat them if he hasn't done before that. Small clowns can do ok with oscars but its a very little chance. the fact they grow together may help but I would hold out to much hope. its risky.

I think you should be scared for your oscar aswell once they get large (assuming they make it that far ), clown loaches have a secret "defense mechanism"- two retractable spines just below the eyes. If the oscar decides they look tasty, he might get a little surprise.

However, like marcus mentioned, they grow very slow and the oscar may just pick them off while they're small.

-Art

Interesting, I didn't realize that they grew at such differant rates. I suppose I might have to rehome them when the oscar starts getting larger. Thanks for the tips guys.

Clown loach have got 2 nasty spikes either side of their head, just underneath their eyes, though not very visible they are very very sharp. They can get caught in nets occasionally, but more worryingly, if your Oscar was to try and eat one headfirst, it can be very difficult to get them out because of these spikes. This is probably another good reason why it's best not to grab hold of a large clown loach with bare hands, not unless you enjoy getting spiked.

I have a 'minature' clown loach (will only grow to 1-2" max) does the same apply to him? i.e. spikes??

Is there such thing as a miniature clown Loach? if there is, it is not the same species as the ones I have got so I can't really answer your question because I don't know whether yours have got spikes or not. Anyway, the one you mentioned is far too small to put in with an Oscar

I have never heard of mini clowns?? and as ofl says it will be food at that size.