Are Loaches Friendly Fish?

They have a relatively mild temperament but can get a little ornery with each other , so get a school of at least six to even out any aggression.

yoyo loaches

are great for larger tanks with certain African, Central American, or South American cichlids, but keep them away from invertebrates like snails and shrimp.

How big does a loach fish get?

Most of the loaches are not very large, being only a few inches , but there are exceptions with a few of the Botia reaching over 12″ (30 cm) and the exceptionally large Royal Clown Loach which can reach up to 20″ (50 cm).

How many loaches should be kept together?

Loaches Behavior/Compatibility Loaches are gregarious, and if possible, should be purchased in groups of 6 or more With so many species to choose from, no matter what size aquarium or type of fish you own, there is one just right for you. Most loaches are quite peaceful and do well in

community tanks

.

Are loaches good pets?

Loaches are a fun addition to any tropical freshwater aquarium Generally, they are peaceful scavengers that spend their time rooting about for tidbits of food on the bottom. Many loach species actually prefer to be kept in schools, and some species will literally pine away with loneliness if kept alone.

What fish do loaches get along with?

Peaceful species like Tetras, Danios, and Rasboras do well with

kuhli loaches

. Gourmias are a good option if you want fish that primarily swim in the middle of the tank. What is this? Kuhli Loaches can also coexist with other bottom dwellers.

Do loaches clean tanks?

Clown Loaches will be everywhere in your tank scavenging for food They’ll sift the substrate, sneak behind little decorations, and generally do a great job picking up the messes. These are not very easy to keep and the biggest fish on the list.

Are loaches aggressive?

Loaches are semi-aggressive fish when housed in the aquarium individually , so it is important to maintain each species in groups of six or more to minimize aggression. Loaches are active bottom dwelling scavengers ideally suited for the community aquarium.

What do you feed a loach fish?

They prefer sinking foods such as community pellets, Repashy gel food, frozen bloodworms, and live blackworms If the other fish in your aquarium are eating all the food before the kuhli loaches get to them, try feeding them at night when the lights are out, and they’re sure to get nice and plump.

Do loaches eat snails?

Clown Loach The Clown Loach has quite the reputation as a snail-eating fish (and for good reason). You might see them patrolling the waters before quickly digging under the substrate. This makes them highly efficient at getting rid of snails that like to burrow and hide.

Why does my loach swim in circles?

Loaches are sensitive species and may swim in circles when the water quality is poor The ammonia levels, for example, can be a cause for stress and swimming around in circles as a response. Additionally, other toxins or contaminants can also cause circling behavior from fish.

Can loaches live in gravel?

It can be rocks and pebbles, mud and peat, or sand Kuhli loaches prefer areas with softer substrates that won’t damage their underbellies or barbels.

What size tank do loaches need?

Aquarium Conditions First of all, you will need to keep Kuhli Loaches in at least a 30

gallon aquarium

Some aquarists will say that this fish can handle a tank size as small as 20 gallons. However, since they prefer to live in groups of up to 5, it is better to size up to at least 30 gallons.

Can loaches live with bettas?

Kuhli loaches: There are a number of Loaches that might work with your Betta fish Like Dwarf loaches and the rare Panda loach. However, there is one clear loach winner: Kuhli loaches. They make an excellent match because they spend a lot of their time hiding and looking for food in your tank’s substrate.

Do loaches sleep?

Playing Dead Another behavior that clown loaches engage in, which has often scared clown loach keepers, is how they “play dead.” This is simply the way that clown loaches sleep or rest, on their side, remaining pretty much motionless.

Can loaches live with Plecos?

Most plecos make great tank mates for clown loaches Plecos and loaches just ignore each other in general, as if they can’t be bothered to acknowledge the other’s presence. A lot of plecos are algae eaters that can really help the tank look nice.

Can angelfish live with loaches?

Angelfish can be predatory and will gladly snap up a lost Neon Tetra or Guppy. However their small mouths ensure they aren’t a threat to Clown Loaches or other large species Angelfish prefer gliding in the midwater zone through heavy plants and under floating lily or duckweed leaves.

Can loaches get ich?

Clown loaches have one problem: They are susceptible to ich and can be difficult to treat once they have it. Because they are scaleless fish, they don’t do well with the typical ich medications containing formalin and malachite green, or medications based on copper.

What is the largest loach?

Leptobotia elongata , the imperial flower loach, elongate loach or royal clown loach, is a species of botiid fish found in flowing water in the upper and middle Yangtze basin in China. It is the largest species in the family, reaching up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) in length and 3 kg (6.6 lb) in weight.

Do loaches eat algae?

While hillstream loaches are great at consuming flat types of algae , you may also need a more nimble-fingered algae eater that can reach into narrow gaps or tear off chunks of fuzzy algae.

Can loaches live in cold water?

Readily available, the weather loach (Misgurnus angullicaudatus) or Pond Loach from East Asia is one of the easiest fish to care for. Couple that with the fact that they will tolerate temperatures in the 50’s, they are excellent candidates for a cold water tank.

Are loaches good bottom feeders?

Botia loaches are a bottom feeder fish I have seriously considered dedicating an entire tank to. I’ve always found their coloration and behavior really interesting. Be sure to research the species as some of these guys can get VERY large, especially clown loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus).

What temperature water do loaches need?

In the aquarium they should be kept at a steady sub-tropical temperature within 15-25°C/59-77°F They have been known to tolerate lower and higher extremes, but are most comfortable within this range.

Do loaches eat shrimp?

Any shrimp you put in that tank are immediately an expensive fancy dinner. Loaches will flip them and rip them out of their shells just like they were snails Loaches and invertebrates just don’t mix. Mollies will eat all but the largest shrimp as well.

Do loaches eat cucumber?

I’ve tried watermelon, strawberries, peas (deshelled and snow peas), cucumber, zucchini, carrots, mango and they love it all !! The weather loach is omnivorous, so try some, cockle, mussle, mealworm, bloodworm and earthworm as part of the diet.

Are loaches nocturnal?

Loaches are hardy, usually nocturnal fishes that inhabit both still and flowing waters. They use their barbels to comb the bottom for worms, insect larvae, and other food.

What does loach stand for?

The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed “Loach”, after the requirement acronym LOH— Light Observation Helicopter ) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation.

What fish live well with bettas?

  • mystery snails.
  • ghost shrimp.
  • moss balls.
  • African dwarf frogs.
  • small Corydoras species.
  • some types of tetras.
  • harlequin rasboras.
  • feeder guppies.

How many fish can I have in a 10 gallon tank?

Going by the numbers, however, you can put up to 8 to 10 fish in a 10-gallon aquarium tank. However, we would not recommend adding 10 fish in a tank unless the fish are tiny and do not generate too much waste. On the other hand, if you have chosen fish types that grow over time, you should limit the number to 8 or 6.

How many fish can I have in a 20 gallon tank?

You can, theoretically, keep twenty 1-inch fish, or ten 2-inch fish , in a 20-gallon tank. This stocking strategy follows the 1 inch of fish per gallon of water rule. Nano fish for nano tanks, right? It’s an easy guideline to follow, but you shouldn’t apply it when stocking fish any larger than 3-4 inches.

What eats

fish poop

in a tank?

There is no fish that will eat poop in an aquarium Occasionally fish are seen chewing on fish poop, but that is because they mistake it for food. Even catfish, plecos, or shrimp do not eat fish poop. The only way to remove fish poop is to use a gravel vacuum and remove it manually.

Is sand or gravel better for aquarium?

Gravel is the better choice for most freshwater aquariums One of the major benefits of gravel is that it allows water to flow through it, preventing the buildup of amoebas and bacteria in the substrate. If allowed to build up for too long, these can sicken your fish and lead to an accumulation of aquarium mold.

How do I get rid of fish poop in my tank?

A gravel vacuum is going to be the best and easiest way to do a little quick-cleanup on a regular basis. The gravel vacuum works by creating a ‘siphon effect’ that provides a small amount of suction for clearing up wasted food, fish poop, and more.

Can you put clown loach with Oscars?

Oscars tend to be pretty mellow fish in my experience and few things mess with a sizeable clown loach more than once. In my experience (limited), so long as the Oscar grows up with the Clown Loaches it should be okay You could start growing the loaches out in your 75g since they are such slow growers.

What fish cleans the tank?

Siamese algae eaters are the algae-eating powerhouses of the fishkeeping world. Their generally peaceful nature and ability to eat and control a wide range of algae (including the dreaded Black Beard algae) makes them an asset to almost any aquarium. These guys are particularly ravenous.

What fish will clean the bottom of my tank?

Goby Fish (freshwater) Actually, the Goby is one of the most popular bottom cleaners for many freshwater aquarium owners. This species comes in many different versions, but any of them is a bottom dweller.

Do snails clean fish tanks?

Snails can play an important part in maintaining freshwater aquariums as long as you choose the right type Most snails are scavengers that dine on algae, dead plant material, dead fish and other detritus, which makes them an excellent option to help you keep your tank clean.

Do loaches eat algae wafers?

Yes, kuhli loaches can eat algae wafers Kuhli loaches are not picky eaters and will gladly eat anything that’s available, including algae wafers. Just make sure the algae wafers can sink because these bottom-dwellers refuse to swim up to feed.

Will loaches eat Nerite snails?

Nerites are shaped differently than most snails, depending on species of nerite, and they can pull in tighter and hold well. A lot of loaches will give up on them, especially if they’re well fed.

Do loaches eat snail eggs?

They are not really hunters but scavengers – they search for food and scraps instead of attacking. However, as we already mentioned, they might eat small snails, eggs , or perhaps really tiny, sick fish. They enjoy frozen, dry, or live food, and they might not be fussy, but they do prefer a meat-based diet.

Citations


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach


https://www.loaches.com/species-index/traccatichthys-pulcher