Loaches (superfamily Cobitoidea) are a group of predominantly
small freshwater fishes
At present 1043 species are known in 111 genera split between 10 families. Around 50 species are important as
aquarium fishes
, but essentially all species can be maintained in the aquarium.
What do freshwater loaches eat?
They enjoy frozen, dry, or live food , and they might not be fussy, but they do prefer a meat-based diet. If you want to go for dry food, flakes and pellets are good because they will sink down to the substrate and will be easily eaten by loaches. They love Daphnia, Bloodworms, Microworms, and Grindal Worms.
Are loaches good community fish?
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 do freshwater loaches 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).
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can goldfish live with loaches?
Loaches. Weather Loaches, also known as Dojo loaches, are commonly recommended companions for goldfish , as they are coldwater fish themselves, requiring temperatures in the 60- to 75-degree range.
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.
Are
loaches algae eaters
?
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.
How many loaches are in a tank?
Given that kuhli loaches only grow to three to four inches long, they have a relatively low bioload (in other words, they don’t produce a lot of waste). Therefore, we highly encourage you to get a group of at least three to six for a 20-gallon aquarium (or larger) so that they feel safe enough to come out and explore.
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 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 fish?
Usually, Clown Loaches will not eat their smaller tank mates as they are very peaceful fish, but they will eat small fish fry (babies) given the opportunity and small shrimps.
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 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.
Are loaches related to catfish?
The loach catfishes are a family, Amphiliidae, of catfishes (order Siluriformes).
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 eats fish waste in aquarium?
There are several species of fish that are thought to eat the poop or feces of other aquarium inhabitants; some of these so-called poop-eaters are the plecos, corydoras, shrimp, and snails.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
How do you clean gravel in a fish tank without a vacuum?
To clean the river gravel, simply put 2 cups of vinegar in a bucket with the gravel and fill it with water. Leave it for 1-2 hours and then empty the water from the bucket By this time, most of the harmful bacteria and parasites should have died. Rinse the gravel a couple of times and it is ready to go in the tank!.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Can goldfish live with Kuhli Loach?
Loaches can live with goldfish Larger fish such as loaches can live peacefully alongside goldfish, but some species are more comfortable than others. However, it is important to keep their feeders and aquariums well-maintained so that they don’t monopolize the food or territory resources.
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.
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.
Citations
https://www.thesprucepets.com/loach-species-1381078
https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/885/
https://www.aqualog.de/en/lexikonkategorie/profile-loaches/