Loaches are one of my favorite type of fish. I have tons of genus/species of loaches in the same tank with tons of other community fish, and never have I had any single fish lose an eyeball or had any fish attempt to bite a fish's eyeball. I do have clown loaches (group of 10, with the largest being 6 inches right now), with tons of different Corydoras, including tiny 1/2" juvi corys, and dwarf corydoras, and with guppies and various other fish similar in size to mollies.
Just saying that it should never happen if they are kept in suitable set ups (my tanks are overstocked heavily, but the fish are kept in proper sized groups and well fed). It's possible that the small tank size, being in a undersized group (only 2 clowns), that the clowns (and other fish) can become abnormally aggressive from the frustrations of being kept improperly. So there is a chance they may have done it. Not bashing, just explaining a possibility. I am glad you have done research and are going to do what's right for the clown loaches.
Just to question though, do you know all your water parameters? (ammonia, nitrite, etc) Since eye infections can happen due to "Un-see-able" water quality (not clarity) issues.
Still even in quarantine of new fish additions, I have not seen clown loaches become aggressive toward other tank mates. Some loaches do like to have their own caves, but territorial behavior is usually just toward similar looking loach body fish (still clowns are really peaceful for loaches).
Just saying that it should never happen if they are kept in suitable set ups (my tanks are overstocked heavily, but the fish are kept in proper sized groups and well fed). It's possible that the small tank size, being in a undersized group (only 2 clowns), that the clowns (and other fish) can become abnormally aggressive from the frustrations of being kept improperly. So there is a chance they may have done it. Not bashing, just explaining a possibility. I am glad you have done research and are going to do what's right for the clown loaches.
Just to question though, do you know all your water parameters? (ammonia, nitrite, etc) Since eye infections can happen due to "Un-see-able" water quality (not clarity) issues.
Still even in quarantine of new fish additions, I have not seen clown loaches become aggressive toward other tank mates. Some loaches do like to have their own caves, but territorial behavior is usually just toward similar looking loach body fish (still clowns are really peaceful for loaches).