newbie to loach-land

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:57 pm

Hi there

We are currently caring for a 10 gal. tank doing necessary water changes and have 8 happy residents. Our most recent addition being our Clown Loach -- Loachie ( go figure ) I realize this tank is small, Loachie is still only about an inch long but I am aware she will GROW. We have been keeping this tank about 3 years, have learned alot and are considering a much larger tank ( 46 gal ) within the year. I am also aware that loaches like the company of other loaches and wonder if it is OK to keep 2-3 in a 45 gal. we also have 4 black skirt Tetras - 2 Mollies - 1 chinese algae eater.

thanks

K

m_hsiao · Post by **m_hsiao** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:18 am

you probably want to switch to the 46 gallon soon if you want to keep that loach happy because it'll need a few other tankmates to feel comfortable in the tank. Having said that, that loach will probably not act its normal ways until it gets put into the 46 gallon with a few other tankmates of it's specie. and the growth will be stunt if it stays in the 10 gallon itself.

worldrallynut · Post by **worldrallynut** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:10 am

clown loaches get way too big for a 46 gallon. I would get him out of the 10 gallon tank asap, but the 46 gallon would only be a temp solution. http://www.loaches.com/species-index/cl ... cracanthus

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:07 am

wow !! I wish they had told me that at the aquarium where I got her !! They did say that we would want to switch to the larger tank ( 46 gal) asap also but nothing about her getting to big for that. What should I do ??

ps thanks for the responses.

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:17 pm

sadly, lots of shops are quite ignorant when it comes to loaches. so many people have experienced exactly the same as you have.

what to do is a good question! it depends on if you have caught the loach bug yet

. you could take the loach back for credit, or maybe try a different shop and see if they have more knowledge and will take the fish. or maybe there is a rehoming place in your area?

or if the bug has bitten, get a bigger tank and at least 4 more clowns. loaches have such wonderfull behaviour, its worth giving them proper condititions. if you cant manage that, you will really miss out and so will the fish if you keep it cramped and lonely.

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:45 pm

Thanks for your honest reply.

It is true of all the fish she is the MOST fun to watch dancing and playing. She really reminds me of a dolphin. I want to be fair tho' and if keeping her is unkind I will have to rethink what we are going to do.

I am a bit bummed, as we really don't have the space it seems for an aquarium big enough to support these guys, and we were really looking forward to our 46 gal community tank including loaches. Oh well, live and learn. I have found this site and won't depend on the info. from the store next time I am choosing a species for my tank !!!!

worldrallynut · Post by **worldrallynut** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:50 pm

there are loaches that can be happily kept in a 46 gal tank. Just not clown loaches...

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:55 pm

Are you going to tell me -- or is it a secret ??? ha ha

What kinds are smaller and do they have as much personality ?????
I guess I am partial to the orange and black too -- it's nice and bright !!

tx Karen

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:59 pm

calbry wrote:Are you going to tell me -- or is it a secret ??? ha ha

What kinds are smaller and do they have as much personality ?????

This one may be a problem....clown personality is rather unique, but ALL loaches are bundled with personalities.

I guess I am partial to the orange and black too -- it's nice and bright !!

This one is easy to satisfy: Kuhli's. Perfectly suitable for a 46g tank. Orange and Black all right.

Total Package · Post by **Total Package** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:28 pm

botia striata (max size ~4 inches) can also work in a 46 gal. Not really orange, but they do have a nice black and gold coloring.

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:41 pm

Thanks, I will check them out

xoK

fishnose · Post by **fishnose** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:41 pm

Kuhlis might not be active enough for what you want, kubotais might be better.

crazy loaches · Post by **crazy loaches** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:02 pm

calbry wrote:Are you going to tell me -- or is it a secret ??? ha ha

What kinds are smaller and do they have as much personality ?????
I guess I am partial to the orange and black too -- it's nice and bright !!

tx Karen

For ~46 gallon tank... Lets see, Striatas would be my personal favorite smaller loach along with sidthimunki, and Mesonoemacheilus triangularis. Not sure about kubotai, whats peoples thoughts on thier minimum size? Also if you can have aggressive fish, then maybe the skunk loach may work for you. There are many other smaller loaches too, mostly hillstreams, that need a more dedicated setup (cooler temps, higher flow, etc.). Lots of choices, good luck. For info please refer to the species index here (on the main page).

calbry · Post by **calbry** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:48 pm

Hey

Went and had a look at all the species mentioned and really like the Striatas !! -- similar enough to the clown looks and very pretty colouring !! and would fit in my tank. Wish the store had pointed us in their direction -- I also looked at the photos of the adult clowns and I don't think they could have possibly sold us a more wrong fish for our tank. What were they thinking !!

it is a 10 GALLON for crying out loud, even tho' we are going bigger still clearly not big enough. They are cool and beautiful but need a lot more space than we can provide. I will look into perhaps exchanging Loachie for a few of the Striatas once we get our 46 gal up and running. I will hate to see her go and will worry they have sent her to some other tiny tank ..............sigh.

Thanks for all the help

crazy loaches · Post by **crazy loaches** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:07 am

Just dont forget botias, striatas included, prefer groups. 5-6 minimum. I had just one alone for a while and so far he/she seems to have suffered permanent damage

I like striatas enough that I chose that as my avatar

I now have 7 in my 75G, and will probably double that or more when I get my big tank up and running.

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