Tell me about loaches

Mean Harri

Being that snails are a given in a planted tank and loaches are a good snail population keeper in checker, I was considering loaches. I haven't decided if I will do Tetras(most likely) or Barbs. The tank is a 55g with eco-complete substrate. I guess general info is what I am after.

Is sand substrate required because of burrowing?
Will they wipe out all the snails in a short time?
Aggressive breeds?
Tetra/Barb compatible?

Thanks... Eric

aunt kymmie

No loach expert by any means but I do keep three different species. Voracious snail eaters, playful and rumbanctious among themselves. I've never seen any of my loaches bother any of the other fish in my tanks. For a 55gl you'd be find to get Botia almorhae, Botia striata or angelica botia. Loaches are awesome!

stephanieleah

Is sand substrate required because of burrowing?
DEPENDS BUT SOME PREFER SOFTER/SMALLER SUBSTRATE FOR THEIR BARBELS
Will they wipe out all the snails in a short time?
SOME WILL, AT LEAST THE BABIES
Aggressive breeds?
HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY
Tetra/Barb compatible?
MY BOTIAS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH MY TETRAS, BUT THEY ARE SO ENERGETIC I WOULDN'T PUT THEM IN A COMMUNITY TANK WITH CALMER FISH. MY BOTIA LOCHATA'S (YO-YO'S) ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. WHEN I GET A BIGGER TANK I WANT TO MOVE THEM THERE SO I CAN GET ANOTHER 3-5 AND HAVE A BIG GROUP. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

aunt kymmie

No loach expert by any means but I do keep three different species. Voracious snail eaters, playful and rumbanctious among themselves. I've never seen any of my loaches bother any of the other fish in my tanks. For a 55gl you'd be fine to get Botia almorhae, Botia striata or angelica botia. Loaches are awesome!

PS. Stephanie is right on as far as sand or very smooth, smaller type substrate. None of my loaches burrow and I've got sand. They adore driftwood with lots of nooks and crannies.

cmc29

Clown loaches eat a ton of snails. They prefer sand, grow quckly and can be kept with the most peaceful species, or even more aggressive ones. They have the means to defend themselves against foes, but are very very playful. They like to be in groups. They are sensitive.

I keep 3 kuhli loaches in my tank (29 gallon), with a sand substrate. They are 3 inches long but still very slim. They like to burrow and like hiding spots, but are great with my community fish. I had a dojo loach once, but didn't have a lot of luck with him....that's just my experience, hope it helps

stephanieleah

YES. I love how they always find a new nook to sleep in. I LOVE it. It's endearing. They're like puppies, running like mad all day and then sound asleep vertically in the driftwood stump.

aunt kymmie

Actually, I wouldn't keep a group of clowns in a 55gl, too small. Clowns grow quickly to the 5 to 6 inch size but after that their growth really slows down. Mine went from 3" to 6" in the first year but as far as second year growth...nothing noticable yet. They are such great fish, I really enjoy mine.

Stephanie, I hear you on the driftwood. I always wonder what I'll do if I ever have to break down the tank. They literally STUFF themselves into the driftwood whenever I put my hands in the tank. No way you'd be able to remove them from the wood unless they wanted to come out.

cbirk

Clown loaches will def outgrow a 55 gal. I have two yoyo cloaches in with my Tetras and barbs, and they are very playfull, but never that aggressive with them. They also seem to do just fine in my small pebble/pea sized gravel tank never seem to hurt themselves when they burrow around.

stephanieleah

Okay, my usual side note.

Before I realized yo-yo's should be kept in groups, I only had one. He (she?) would get really social with my danios and follow them around. I think he was really relieved when I put the other two in there. They would just follow each other around endlessly. Very playful. But not afraid like Kymmie's. During water changes, they are the only fish not hiding from the hose.

Mean Harri

Great replies. Thank you. I think once established I'll look in to them. They sound great. They will love my drift wood. It's huge and there are numerous ways for them to hide on and under it. Yoyo's for a Yo Yo I suppose.