Weather Loaches and only 120 litre tank (newbie ?)

[Penguin]

Hi all,
I am a newbie and I am afraid I may have been a bad loach keeper. I had 2 goldfish in a 120 litre tank (that is about 32 gallons I think- length is 33 inches) and when one of them died after 6 years, once I was sure the water was stable, I decided to get the remaining goldfish (fantail, 2 inches long) a companion. Didn't want another goldfish, so the local petshop (no specialised LFS here in Dublin afaik) recommended a weather loach, and sold me a bell decoration so the loach would have somewhere to hide. I brought the loach home and he seems very happy and active. Didn't have time to research him in the last 3 months since I had him, and now that I have, I think even though the dojo loach and the goldfish seem happy, I should probably change my set-up as loaches are schooling fish.

Ideally, I'd like to simply buy another 2-3 weather loaches, as I love my current guy. But I am afraid that my 120 litre tank (with strong fluval filter, very stable water conditions, some plastic plants and medium sized, dark gravel) is too small. I cannot currently upgrade to a bigger tank due to where we live, but could get a bigger tank within 3 years or so. I am also thinking I should probably provide more hiding spaces for the loach(es) and change at least one part of the gravel for sand so the loach(es) will have somewhere to burrow.

So what do you think? Can I add to my current tank, should I stay with the one loach until I can upgrade, or am I totally mad and should return the loach I currently have?

[angelfish83]

In my opinion just stick with the goldfish until you can upgrade. Take the weather loach back and explain to them (they should've known) that they need to be in large groups and need a very long tank to swim in.

I say get a friend for the goldfish until you can get a really big tank- then move the goldfish into the big tank and add six or seven weather loaches (assuming you can get a nice six footer or so) and there you go. Keep in mind well kept goldfish in a very big tank will, themselves, get very big

[Penguin]

So, I assume everyone agrees with the first poster's advice here?
I have found I cannot bring the loach back, but have been able to find an Irish fishkeepers club, so I might be able to find a home for him that way if absolutely neccessary.

[shari2]

I dunno Penguin. 30g really is too small for a full grown Dojo loach, much less a nice group of them. They will be adults in about a year. You said it will be 3 years or so before you can upgrade to a larger tank. . .

On the other hand you sound like a responsible fish keeper who wants the best for his fish...

Angelfish gave you his opinion.

Something to consider is how easy is it to come by weather loaches where you live. If they are uncommon, you may want to keep him. On the other hand, weather loaches seem to be available most places and you can probably get a group later when you are ready. Plus, getting involved in a fishkeepers club will give you LOTS of info and a ton of options down the road. They may have some suggestions that will help you decide what's the best way for you to go.

The reality is that personally, I really am uncomfortable telling people what to do with their fish unless they are asking for help with sick fish or information. Only you know the whole picture of what's going on with your tank and your fish. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Based on the little bit you've shared, I think you will make the right choice for you and your fish.

[Penguin]

Thank you- I have started posting on the Irish board and might go to a meeting they have next week!

I might consider keeping the loach for now, and seeing how quickly we can move- we are hoping to buy a house you see (hrmm... aquarium space....), which could happen this year as my husband is looking for a better paying job, but if things go badly with the economy, could be up to three years.

[Icewall42]

Hmmmm personally, I've never had a problem keeping weather loaches in even a 20 gallon long tank. I had two or three of them in that tank before I got the 55 gallon, but this was a few years ago. They are the happiest fish I've ever seen, so that my dad nicknamed them "happy-faces". I even had some of them trained to eat out of my hand, so they would smooch my fingers and palm (tickled!) and lay on my hand near the surface of the water. I loved the little guys to death.

Then they got sick with what I think was columnaris and died within a couple days I named them Fred and George.

I really don't think a weather loach will have any problem in a 30 gallon, and I think you can even have a buddy weather loach for them so that you have two. The main problem with tanks under 55 gallons, as I've heard, is that they can't develop a proper biological cycle very well. But I don't know the validity of that claim.

It's probably best to get the loach a new home, but I wouldn't worry about rushing to do so. Doesn't sound like an immediate danger, and it never was for me. I never had a problem with it in my 20 long.

[piggy4]

To be honest , not everyone can house large tanks , i personally think you could get away with the Dojo ! there is a case to be had , that a smaller tank has to be monitered more often P H checks being paramount ! etc ,etc , but observation on the part of the keeper should surfice , i.e. the fish will let you know if all is not right , i.e ignoring their food and so on , if you keep fish in a smaller tank just make sure you do regular water changes , and dont overfeed you should be ok ! b t w this is just my personal viewpoint .