skunk loaches

[cornbread_5]

Ok i got two skunk loaches for my 40 gal planted tank, my question is can i mix with other loaches and if i can what type of loaches

[Emma Turner]

Hi cornbread_5, welcome to Loaches Online.

I'm not sure how much research you did before you bought the skunk loaches, but they are pretty feisty characters and do not mix well in a peaceful community type set up. Two is also a really bad number because they will constantly pick on one another - 5 is a much better number as the aggression (which heightens as the fish mature) will be spread amongst the group. Do you have any other fish in the tank at the moment? There are other loach species that will mix with them, such as the Tiger 'Botias' from the Syncrossus genus, but they really need much more space. If you are after more loaches, and the tankmates are suitable for the skunks, I would advise adding at least 3 more of the same kind instead of a different species. Here is our profile on the skunk loach, for further reading: http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ya ... ia-morleti. Be warned that a lot of the botiid species will also wreak havoc in a planted set up, too!

Hope this helps,

Emma

[starsplitter7]

Ok i got two skunk loaches for my 40 gal planted tank, my question is can i mix with other loaches and if i can what type of loaches

What other types of fish do you have, and how long has your tank been set up?

I have three Skunks, and I know this isn't enough. I think you need to have a small group to disperse the aggression. I am very lucky in that mine are very easy going for Skunks. I keep my Skunks with Semi Aggressive fish who can hold their own against the Skunks. I have been hesitant in adding more skunks to mine, because mine seem to have a balance, and they are all pretty big. The only ones I see for sale are very small.

As for other fish with the skunks, I am sure another person will have some advice. Mine are probably not the best choice, but for my tank, they seem to work. All my fish are in nice shape. I have hatchets (upper level), a Rubberlip Pleco (bottom) and silver tip tetras (middle). All are twitchy fish, and they are in nice shape. The Rubberlip is armored and territorial and holds his own against the Skunks. My skunks chase each other, but don't hurt each other.

[cornbread_5]

They are in a 40 gal planted tank with two rainbow cichlids ,six Thorichthys sp. ‘Mixteco blue’ , a juvie red terror ( not there permantly just to grow out a little better ) and two otto cats. Also one half beak in there

[newshound]

get a few more skunks!
they are fun to watch.
I bought some really small skunks for my grrr tank (mean fish tank) and am happy to say they are doing great. Other fish are RTS, eos, robusta and modesta. The tank has a large footprint and is very shallow.

[Blue]

They are in a 40 gal planted tank with two rainbow cichlids ,six Thorichthys sp. ‘Mixteco blue’ , a juvie red terror ( not there permantly just to grow out a little better ) and two otto cats. Also one half beak in there

Otos and halfbeaks won't be able to hold their ground against the skunks. I'd replace those fish before they meet their demise from constant harassments. I've never tried the Thorichthys sp. with skunks so I really cannot say whether this will work long-term or not. Emma perhaps can tell us about this?

As far as I am concerned, skunks are not your typical community fish so you need to be particularly careful in selecting their tankmates.

[newshound]

the tiny little skunks I bought nipped at my much bigger dwarf neons.
skunks are a difficult match for most fish