Cobitis loaches

[lof]

I recently got some Cobitis loaches. Has anyone kept them?
I know Rachel O'leary has them in her 'hillstream' tank, but I have no clue why because they are not tropical/subtropical, and don't come from flowing streams at all. They are said to require cold winters if they are to live beyond a couple of years of age. Is that correct?
Do they burrow? I've yet to see them do that.

[Bas Pels]

I don't have any experience with them.

The only Cobitidae I have experience with is Acantocobitis, which is far different.

Cobitis are found in the tropics, but also in Europe, in fact 1 species is found here in NL waters. But it is unlawfull keeping this species here, they are protected.


As far as I know, all Cobitidae comoe from clean water, and I thought all from streaming water. If they are a northern species, you will have to provide them with cold water, which is not easy.


4-5 C in winter, and in summer max 20 - 25 C. And lots of water changes

[lof]

So I have read quite a bit on Cobitis loaches (scientific... not practical... there is very little about that) and there are no tropical species. All of them occur in Europe or Northern Asia. Maybe this idea of them coming from 'streaming waters' is because Rachel O'leary says it but their primary biotope is always stated as muddy and still waters, though they have sometimes been found in slow flowing waters as well. And the reason for that is because C taenia is one of the most widespread f/w fish there is, so it's quite silly to have it under protected status...

Some temperate fish need cold winters, for others it makes no difference, I don't know about Cobitis loaches.

[Thomas]

You can look here:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14172

[lof]

Thanks that was interesting, though it contained little information on keeping them or C taenia.
You still have those Cobitis loaches?

[Thomas]

Yes, you are right...not so much info...

And yes, I still keeping them. The oldest offspring are 7 years old, but I have also a (WC) group (more than 10) for 11 years now.

I keep them in an unheated tank with Rocks, gravel and sand. A lot of Java fern.

This was the tank when they spawned the first time:



In the meantime, the tank is full of the fern.

Thomas

[NancyD]

Great tank, Thomas! Congrats on keeping & breeding them!

[lof]

Tank looks very nice Thomas ! What is the temperature?
Are they really social like weather and clown loaches or don't they care?
What are you feeding them?

[Thomas]

I would recommend to keep them in a group of at least 6-8 individuals. The more the better. The males are often behind the females and try to swim direct next to the female (pairswimming). But they aren't so social as clown loaches. The temp is round about 20°C sometimes a few degrees lesser or more. I feed red mosquitolarvae, tubifex or tablets.

[lof]

Is your species subtropical or temperate?

[Thomas]

Subtropical, they are from taiwan and have no problems with 15° C