Cobitis loaches

The forum for the very best information on loaches of all types. Come learn from our membership's vast experience!

Moderator: LoachForumModerators

Post Reply
lof
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:39 pm

Cobitis loaches

Post by lof » Fri Jan 11, 2019 9:13 pm

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
Posts: 360
Joined: Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:08 am

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by Bas Pels » Sat Jan 12, 2019 3:51 am

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
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:39 pm

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by lof » Sat Jan 12, 2019 7:09 am

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.

User avatar
Thomas
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Aachen, Germany
Contact:

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by Thomas » Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:36 am

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

lof
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:39 pm

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by lof » Thu Jan 31, 2019 6:36 am

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

User avatar
Thomas
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Aachen, Germany
Contact:

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by Thomas » Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:17 pm

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:

Image

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

Thomas

NancyD
Posts: 1608
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:17 pm
Location: SF bay area,US

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by NancyD » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:11 pm

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

lof
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:39 pm

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by lof » Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:54 am

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?

User avatar
Thomas
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Aachen, Germany
Contact:

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by Thomas » Mon Feb 04, 2019 11:21 am

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
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:39 pm

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by lof » Mon Feb 04, 2019 3:05 pm

Is your species subtropical or temperate?

User avatar
Thomas
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Aachen, Germany
Contact:

Re: Cobitis loaches

Post by Thomas » Tue Feb 05, 2019 11:31 am

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

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 126 guests