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New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:12 pm
by justice
Hello All, I'm new here, well I have read this site a bit but just registered. Anyway my question for your wisdom is I got 5 Blue loaches yesterday and they are in quarantine right now and was wondering how they would do in my 55Gal community tank that currently holds 1 5" Pleco, 3 hatchets, and I think 4 or 5 Ottos. I'm sure the size is alright as there were 4 Clown loaches in there until they died of Ich, I have now learned to quarantine. but that is a different story. The main thing that I'm concerned about is that the substraight I am using is Earth mixed with gravel and is about 3" thick. and I know they like to dig alot. I guess my main worry is they will dig a hole they cannot get out of, or might hit a pocket of gas. Any thought would be appreciated

Thanks

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:01 pm
by starsplitter7
Loaches do dig a lot. I have never had them get stuck in the gravel or sand. If you are worried about pockets of gas, I would add fish that bury like eels, banjo catfish, horsehead loaches, but all of these would do better with dirt and sand. Mine all manage to bury themselves in gravel and sand.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:00 am
by justice
Thanks for the input, I have had clown Loaches in there that dug, and never really released any gasses, but I do notice a bubble now and then come from the dirt. I guess if it was a real issue I would have dead fish by now. as I have observed the CLs digging around and were fine till they got a bad case of Ick. Below are some pictures of my tank that I am thinking of putting the Blue Botia in.
Image
Better-55g by Justice-IV, on Flickr
This is my %% gal tank
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Pleco2 by Justice-IV, on Flickr
My Pleco, and the dirt/gravel bottom
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Hatchet by Justice-IV, on Flickr
My Hatchet
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BlueLoachQtank by Justice-IV, on Flickr
My blue Botia in Q tank

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:36 pm
by andyroo
By "Blue" you mean Y. modesta, yes? Orange-fin is another name. They're my favourites.
A couple of things: a) a 55 really isn't big enough for clowns.... sorry. Blues are almost as big and they're supposed to grow a little quicker than clowns so your upgrade might be a little sooner. Think about upgrading to 100Gal or more (preferably more) over the next 18 months.
Y. modesta also have a grouchy-streak as compared to clowns. I think your current stock should be OK, but keep an eye on your Ottos. Adding these fish will change the social "tone" of your tank from "suburbia" to "downtown" though- keep this in mind when you next go fish-shopping.
Don't worry about the trapped gas- it's just Methane, and as the fish disturbs the gas pocket the bubble just goes up and away. Maybe get some trumpet snails to keep it mixed, and to keep the loaches entertained (they'll dig them up and eat them). If they (loaches) get bored they start ripping up your plants & filters & other fish.
Think about getting a powerhead to put a little current into the system- your fish will all benefit, particularly the loaches.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:57 pm
by justice
Yes that is the one, Unfortunately I am unable to upgrade my tank at this moment as I have a size limitation in my apartment. but If my employment continues after my contract ends I will be moving in the net year so I should be able to get a larger tank then, I hope they can make it till then without stressing them too much. but the 55gal would be better than the 20 they are in for a Q tank.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:06 pm
by Emma Turner
Hi justice,

As Andyroo has already mentioned, it would not be a good idea to try and house Y. modesta with Otocinclus species. The Y. modesta are simply too boisterous and will pick on these placid catfish.

Best wishes,
Emma

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:29 pm
by justice
I plan on taking the Otocinclus out of that tank and am setting up the 20gal that I am using as a Q tank at the moment for some other fish, not sure what yet, maybe some kuhli.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:52 am
by diane10
Can i keep blue loach with my discus ??

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:09 am
by andyroo
Diane,
I honestly couldn't tell you- temperament in these guys seems highly variable and at least somewhat associated with who or what they're housed with. Mine are nothing short of murderous little stinkers, but they live nicely/peacefully with tetras and angels. The angels are pretty bloodthirsty on their own, though...
I don't think the loaches will bother with or even notice the Discus, but I'd hate to be proven wrong. They may also nick all the Discus's's food- they are pretty vigorous feeders.
A

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:19 am
by Icewall42
I have a 90g tank with all sorts of loaches, as well as 10-11 ottos. I do have one Modesta in with a mix of 8-9 medium to large clowns, and in the months I've had the ottos and the Modesta, I haven't seen any problems. Then again, it is a bigger tank, so there's more room for the fish to knock around. I notice that the ottos do get tail-whacked occasionally, but I haven't seen any actual damage or distress. They all appear fat and happy to me.

I'm not sure if the tank functions this way because there's a lot going on to keep fish busy, or if I've just been playing with fire.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:48 am
by justice
Well the are out of their Q tank and seem to like it better than their bland 20G Q tank. I also kept the otto's in there as they would have been a bitch to move. I don't even really know how many I have I bought 5 3 years ago and only really see them once in a while. the like to live in the big plant in the center of the tank, occasionally in the morning I will see them "grazing" or sitting on the bottom. The only trouble I've seen since adding them was on day one and two the Y. Modesta had some issues with the pleco, or the pleco had issues with them( was HIS tank for about a month). but that has settled. since I've seen the Otto's sit right in front of the loaches and they don't seem to care, same with the Pleco. The only time I've seen an issue since is with the Pleco and the loaches over algae wafers, and the Pleco wins even know he is one and they are 5, but he is about 5-7" and they are maybe 3-4". So anyway they all seem to be doing good and happy, there colours are even brighter since I have put them (even know my water has a yellow tinge) in, which is a good thing.

Re: New Blue Loach and Community Tank

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:53 am
by KittyKat
It's great that your lot are getting along :) Just thought I'd mention that many people and I recommend at least 4-6 weeks for effective quarantine as some diseases can remain dormant for a long time.