Loaches Online Forum

To be honest the tank is to small for one group of Botia, never mind 3. You could get away with the B.striata but the B.almorhae and B.dario will feel pretty cramped. I would really try and either reconsider species, or tank length. Ideally its the foot print you really need. I know you said you needed more buddies for the B.almorhae, but would it not be better rehoming him until you can actually house it in a tank that is the size it needs?

For substrate I use sand since all the crap gathers on top, and since the tanks have high flow, it gathers in certain areas making it eaiser to remove. I have gravel in one of my tanks and its only as its planted, I would certinally favour sand, but if using gravel, make sure its smooth.

For the botia tank, canisters with either an internal or powerhead/s for flow. I have found that the Fluval + range of internal filters produce a good flow, plus you have spare space for additional sponge media. I have a couple of fluval 4+ internals on my 5ft until my circulation pumps arrive and they deliver a good flow for that length of tank.
For Powerheads, I have found Maxijets to be decent and quiet.

For the botia tank, you might want to consider some dithers (small barbs, small rainbows etc) to make your loaches feel that bit more sequere in their home.

Decor, I always keep mine as natural as possible, but long as you have plenty of hiding places spread out about the tank it doesn't really matter. Pipes are great-I have great success with these for a variety of species. You can make them more 'natural' looking by getting some java moss to attatch, or coating it in sand and gravel.

Plants-I don't know if your thinking of live or fake. I have found B.striata to be well behaved in my planted tank (bet I say this and I come down tomorrow to the entire tank in shreds ). B.dario will rip up everything in sight-they adore veggies, plants etc, B.almorhae are sometimes ok, sometimes little devils.....


Ashleigh

I really don't know any place to rehome my Spaz (that is what I named my yoyo). He is still pretty small,about an inch and a half long, and once I get my own place I intend to get a MUCH larger tank (around 100 gallons) and possibly get some clowns with my other botiine loaches.

Would it be alright, for now, to get two buddies for him (that are still really small, I know of a place that has them where they are an inch long) and have them in the 3" tank while they are this size?

How long does it take them to get to full size?

B.almorhae give the right housing, feeding etc should reach 3 inches, possibly more in a year. They are quite fast growing for the Botia.

I would be against keeping it, but if you were planning to upgrade, you should get away with it. Three buddies should be fine, but more you can get the better B.almorhae are a feisty lot, you really need good numbers to ensure no one gets picked on constantly in my experience.


Ashleigh

My B.almorhae and my B.striata seem to get along very well. I often see them sitting next to each other or they will chase each other around in a playful manner. I do have to admit that Spaz is much more crazy then my B.striata, Troll (so named because he used to hide under a bridge decor that I had in the tank. Think the "Billy-goats gruff").