no substrate for loaches?

[libingboy]

i was wondering as to what would happen if the loaches lived in a no-substrate tank? coz i am having some difficulty looking for fine grade sand here, most of what ive seen could be described as small pebbles/rocks rather than sand, which i worry might damage the barbels?

[Mark in Vancouver]

Put loaches in a tank with substrate of some kind. Bare glass is pointless and cruel, IMO. Or go for different fish, not loaches.

[shari]

Try looking for "pool filter sand." It's rounded, but not so small that it flies up into the water column every time a loach flicks it. It is also ususally inexpensive. Rinse it well, add it to the tank, add some water (not all at once) and let it settle. I gravel vac over the top of it to remove whatever sediment settles out, then add the rest of the water, and vac the surface again. It will go up a vac so don't poke it into the surface.

It is light colored, so you may want a floating plant or two. Wisteria was enjoyed by my loaches. They'd swim up into it and barbel all the roots...

[Graeme Robson]

Where is here, libingboy?

Is it next to "there"?

[LES..]

Interestingly an article titled "How to make your fish's brain bigger" turned up on PFK today.
Looks like there is a good reason for keeping a nice natural substrate in your tank.

[Graeme Robson]

I agree. A inquisitive fish is a healthy fish!