Well, I started keeping my second batch of skunk loaches only last Wednesday thinking they'll be alright in my community tank. I wanted each and every one of the loaches the chance to thrive in the community. While I do realize that they can be aggressive and may not be suitable for community tanks, I never realized it would reach to the point of killing their tankmates one by one. The last time I kept them was 6 years ago and these ones aren't exactly as aggressive as the ones I currently have. I had casted doubts when I was surprised to see one yoyo loach missing. My hunch became true when I saw most skunks driving my clowns out of their hideouts. Adding to my fears is the fact that I saw another dead yoyo with its gill cover left with a rather deep bite, the size of the skunks' mouths. I was horrified that these skunks turned out to be completely aggressive. They have been moved to one of my tanks and that will be considered a species only exclusively for them. I will not consider mixing any more fish with them. I lost 2 yoyos, 1 very small skunk and 1 Kerri tetra to the aggressive skunks. Most of the fish suffered fin damage including my gold rams. Do note that all these deaths have been linked to the skunks because all these troubles started the moment I added the skunks to my tank. I never knew the skunks, despite being a little under 2 inches in size, would be quite vicious up to the extent of even shredding their tankmates to pieces. Their first targets were those smaller than them. While it is fortunate that I had removed them in time before more grisly killings happen, it is very unfortunate that I lost two very young yoyos from them.:shake:
As of today after the skunks have been removed yesterday, no more loaches have gone missing. I counted every one of them and all are intact and happily foraging the bottom.
Would I suspect the yoyo loaches? A thousand times no. Not even my 5-inches yoyo named Delta. I've kept them before and I never see them harassing other fish. Would I suspect my clowns? Not even a single no. Clowns are quite peaceful and I have never had any past records of a single one harassing its tankmates to death. I would not even suspect the kubotais. They are still on the road to recovery from being under stress and skinny state.
On another note, I do realize some people have kept skunk loaches successfully in the communities and I do as well before but this thread has been created only to give warning to future loach enthusiasts to be very careful in selecting the loaches of their choices. This thread has been created to share my experiences about these wee vicious loaches. Never again will I get these loaches, not even if they become rarely available. The remaining ones have been provided their own tank. I won't plan to put any more fish with them in the same tank. It's far too risky on my part. I really regret I bought them thinking I can give them a chance to live in my community.
As of today after the skunks have been removed yesterday, no more loaches have gone missing. I counted every one of them and all are intact and happily foraging the bottom.
Would I suspect the yoyo loaches? A thousand times no. Not even my 5-inches yoyo named Delta. I've kept them before and I never see them harassing other fish. Would I suspect my clowns? Not even a single no. Clowns are quite peaceful and I have never had any past records of a single one harassing its tankmates to death. I would not even suspect the kubotais. They are still on the road to recovery from being under stress and skinny state.
On another note, I do realize some people have kept skunk loaches successfully in the communities and I do as well before but this thread has been created only to give warning to future loach enthusiasts to be very careful in selecting the loaches of their choices. This thread has been created to share my experiences about these wee vicious loaches. Never again will I get these loaches, not even if they become rarely available. The remaining ones have been provided their own tank. I won't plan to put any more fish with them in the same tank. It's far too risky on my part. I really regret I bought them thinking I can give them a chance to live in my community.