Loaches Online Forum

I turned on my tank light to find my beloved gold dojo whom I nursed and hand fed back from near death stuck with his head sticking out of a tiny hole in a coconut that has been a cave of there's for years. He was stuck so tight I spent 45 min cutting him out with shears through tear filled eyes just to have him die in my hand as I got him out. I don't know how he did it. It should have been impossible. But he did. And I just wanted to try and prevent this from happening to any others by sharing my story. I have since thrown out all coconuts with a hole no matter how tiny.

So sorry to hear it!

My daughter and I were looking at caves for them yesterday, and I ruled out some with very sharp edges and small holes. I am glad now that I did.

If you don't mind. We are new to golden loach ownership. Any tips you might have on feeding and tank maintenance would be greatly appreciated. I sort of stepped into this without really knowing what I am doing (birthday gift to my daughter which was supposed to just be a simple goldfish in a bowl). My daughter loves these hilarious little fish, and I really want to keep them swimming. I am having trouble with water maintenance, for the most part. Keeping nitrate and nitrite down...Please help if you can. Thanks so much, and sorry again about your little dojo!

Smiles,

Laanan

So sorry for your loach. I remember reading somewhere here about the same scenario with loaches getting stuck in coconut caves.

I've had very good luck using short pieces of 2" PVC pipe and terra-cotta plant pots as fish caves. Make sure to remove all sharp edges with a file and clean them thoroughly (no soap!!!) before using.

Laanan... Small frequent water changes and use of prime when you do, or if you have a spike. They are a very hardy fish and have evolved to live in some pretty bad conditions but that is no reason to force them to. They are wonderful pets and when happy can learn to be very affectionate back. Mine are constantly sitting in my hands when I'm doing or trying to do maintenance lol. Give them a soft sandy substrate they can bury themselves in and clean water with decent movement. Mine are in love with there bubble curtain lol. Lots of rocks and floating plants they can hide in and lounge around on. I feed mine small amounts multiple times a day. They get blood worms mysid or brine shrimp cyclopeeze and daphnia are a favorite of theirs. Algae pellets and shrimp pellets. I change in between all of them so they have a big variety. Really they are very easy to care for and so easy to fall in love with. Good luck!


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