Most loaches are quite peaceful and do well in
community tanks
However, some members of the family Botiidae can become boisterous and may go after smaller or slower moving fish. These species are best kept with larger, more active fish.
How big of a 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.
Are loaches easy to keep?
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) This zebra-striped oddball fish isn’t for everyone since they can look like a squiggly mass of worms, but they are quite enjoyable and easy to care for.
Can loaches live in tropical tanks?
In the wild, Weather loaches live within a surprisingly large temperature range, dependent on location. 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 you need more than one loach?
Ideal tank mates The best type of aquarium fish that you can keep with your Kuhli Loach is more Kuhli Loaches. While they’re not schooling fish by any means, this species likes to be around others. Having about five more fish of the same species around tends to make them more active and happy.
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.
Are loaches good tank cleaners?
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.
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.
What fish go well with loaches?
- Other Clown Loaches. It is absolutely essential to keep clown loaches in a group
- Discus. Discus are large South American cichlids that are pretty much the jewels of the aquarium world
- Rainbowfish
- Barbs
- Severums
- Gouramis
- Tetras
- Plecos.
What is the most peaceful loach?
Zebra Loach They are one of the smallest members of the loach family, and their smaller size and peaceful nature make them a good candidate for many community aquariums.
What does a loach eat?
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.
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 get territorial?
Some loaches can be temperamental too, becoming territorial or even nipping the fins of other fish, but research the needs of each species in terms of tank size, tank mates and diet, and they can all be tamed and accommodated in aquaria.
Do loaches need a heater?
Yes, kuhli loaches need a heater Kuhli loaches are tropical fish that originate from freshwater streams in Southeast Asia. They need warm temperatures of around 73–86°F (22.7°–30°C) to thrive.
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.
Do loaches eat tropical fish food?
Can Kuhli loach eat Flake Fish Food? Like most tropical fish Kuhli loach can and will eat flake food.
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.
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.
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.
How big can a loach grow?
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).
Is 2 clown loaches enough?
Clown loaches need more loach buddies than just one, 5 or 6 at a minimum From your profile I see that these are going in a 55G tank which is not even half as big as the tank they require. You should be aware that CL get upwards of 12″ long and can approach 16″.
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.
Can you keep a single Kuhli Loach?
No, you can’t keep just one kuhli loach Even though they’re not schooling fish, kuhli loaches are social creatures. They love company and feel more comfortable with friends. In fact, if kept on its own, a kuhli loach will be too afraid to explore the tank and will remain in hiding.
Are loaches cold water fish?
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.
Do 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 loaches can live together?
Loaches can coexist happily with other fish as long as they live with other loaches of the same species. Suitable tankmates include barbs, tetras, and rasboras Fish with long fins like guppies and angelfish are not a good idea since Loaches like to nibble.
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.
Are loaches 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 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.
What tropical fish keep the tank clean?
Nerites are the most popular of all algae-eating snails They have tiger-like stripes on their shells so they are enjoyable to look at. They also eat all types of algae and so do a great job of keeping your tank clean.
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.
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.
What is the best fish for a 10 gallon tank?
- Celestial Pearl Danios. Celestial Pearl Danios (Celestichthys margaritatus) are very peaceful fish that are easy to care for
- Golden Dwarf Barbs
- Pygmy Corydoras
- Guppies
- Betta Fish
- Dwarf Gourami.
Why is my loach upside down?
Your Fish Is Breathing Heavily One common reason why kuhli loaches may be swimming upside down is that they are breathing heavily and their gills are working overtime to take in oxygen. Due to its upside-down position, your kuhli loach will not be able to get the oxygen it needs.
Do fishes sleep?
While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
Can you eat loach fish?
The pond loach is a common culinary fish in East Asia , raised on a large scale in fish farming.
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.
Do kuhli loaches clean tank?
Kuhli Loaches are known for being good cleaner fish As they scavenge for food, they will eat some algae at the bottom of your tank that grows on the gravel. By burrowing and scavenging, they can help to loosen food and dirt in the substrate that can subsequently be cleaned by your aquarium filter.
Will kuhli loaches eat neon tetras?
Kuhli loaches are peaceful in nature, so they can coexist with many other species without problems. Neon tetras are excellent tankmates for kuhli loaches because they’re also very friendly.
References
https://www.aqueon.com/resources/care-guides/loaches
https://www.thesprucepets.com/loach-species-1381078
https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/weather-loaches-and-how-to-keep-them/