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 can loaches live with?
Fortunately,
kuhli loaches
can coexist with many different species, as long as they are all peaceful in nature. This temperament applies to each species mentioned in this article: Zebrafish,
neon tetras
, Guppies, Dwarf Gouramis, Celestial Pearl Danios, Chili Rasbora, Bronze Corys, and Red Cherry Shrimp.
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.
Do loaches keep
tank clean
?
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.
How many loaches should I get?
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.
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.
Can betta live with loaches?
Best Loaches For Your Betta 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. With no long fins, your Betta will have nothing to nip at.
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.
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 do loach fish 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.
How big do loaches 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).
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
What loach can go in a 10 gallon tank?
Actually dwarf zebra hovering loaches are perfect choices for 10G tanks, they are very tiny and a group of 8 would work very well. They like to have a cave to horde up together in, and eat anything that hits the bottom.
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.
Citations
https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/885/
Loaches
https://www.aquariumsource.com/kuhli-loach/