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Yoyo Loach and Clown Loach, 125g?

14K views 11 replies 3 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
I've got 4 Yoyo loaches right now in a 125 gallon that has been running since the summer. I wanted them to have their own tank ( another 125 ) but had a few questions I'm having problems finding online:

This tank will only have Yoyo and possibly some Clown Loach, its 125 gallon 72x18x21. I know Clowns like having more and more, but I read Yoyo are best with 5 or so and dont need a giant group to be happy. How many clowns can I fit in the tank with 5 or 6 yoyos? Will the clowns play/live fine with the yoyos if I cant fit 5 or 6 clowns?

Tank is low tech, so only plants I could have are Swords ( I know they put holes/kill them ), Hornwort, and crypts/javafern. Are these ok or should I stick to rock formations for caves, PVC pipe and fake plants?

I know loaches like a good current, what kind of powerhead should be in the tank and how do I set it up without blowing sand everywhere?
 
#2 ·
I am assuming your width is 18"? Your tank is not wide enough to accommodate the full growth of one Clown Loach, never mind a pack. These guys need very wide tanks. Now as per the Yoyo Loach, 5 is around the minimum for group. They are defiantly happier with a larger group. Larger groups encourage more activity.

If you can get good growth from plants that are harder for them to chew up like what you have mentioned, it's completely worth keeping. Loaches like clean tanks, and live plants are excellent to bump up water quality.

Lastly as per power heads, I cannot advise you there as I don't use them.
 
#3 ·
Ya the width is 18", I've been reading around and even on a loach forum 18" seemed fine. I could maybe go 2 feet wide but then it wouldn't be 6 feet long. I cant really go any bigger then 125 gallons because I'm in an apartment and I already have a 125 gallon, 2 75's, a 50 and a 35. By the time I'm done the 35 will be gone and I'll have 2 125s, 2 75s and my 50

I do have some crypts, no idea what kind that are still alive in my tank, I've never tried Java fern but I know it would live if Amazon sword are alive after a few months
 
#4 ·
Most people I talk to disagree with the idea of clowns in an 18" tank. Granted it's something better than what most of those poor things in pet-stores end up in but it doesn't give them much turning space when they grow up.

Java Fern is a wonderful plant most fish won't eat. It just takes a while to grow. When it does though, absolutely beautiful :3
 
#5 ·
I wanted to have the Loach tank right beside my 125 gallon community in the living room, I would have to move the pictus catfish tank thats beside it. If I had to go with a 2 foot wide tank, it would have to go in the hallway room where my 75g livebearer tank is right now :/ Thats also assuming I can find a 5 foot long, 2 foot wide tank at the store
 
#6 ·
Well if you really have to have Clown Loaches you are going to have to have a wider tank. An 16" fat fish living in an 18" wide tank just isn't kindness to a really wonderful species of animal. It would be different if they were more serpentine animals. Keep in mind they can get even longer than 16" in some cases.

If you cannot accommodate this the best thing to do is focus on getting a smaller animal that fits your tank compatibility wise. There are other species of loach you could look into such as Ladder Loaches, or Golden Zebra Loach if you are lucky enough to find either. They get bigger than the Yoyo's, but not too big for your initially suggested size tank.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Well the other name for the Golden Zebra Loach is Burmese Loach. They are getting difficult to find however.

Some people might say get as many as you can. I prefer to say, how many can you support? Yoyo Loaches like several other loaches like to have places to hide/sleep and play. Giving them adequate spaces for this is really key in getting them to come out and be active so you can enjoy them more. It's easier to balance this if you go with a medium sized group. 8-12 individuals would be an ideal group that you could easy set up a scape to accommodate them. The more you add, the more you need to pay attention to layout.

Tank mates need to be something that won't be too bothered by how these little fish will invade everyone's space. So fish that require a lot of personal space, are very aggressive, heavily territorial, or predatory are ill fitted to this. Similar sized other loaches, gourami, small senaglus bichir (when the yoyo's are young), soft water school fishing are all good tank mates. Some catfish and plecos also work. If you have your additions fill the upper and middle layer of the tank it would create less competition with the Yoyo at the bottom. Beyond that I cannot say much beyond what I have had success with.
 
#10 ·
Thanks, what about a red tail black shark? I know they kinda share the same body type but Ive read that RTS have been found to play/school with loaches instead of being aggressive towards them
No. This fish should be on its own, and not mixed with other similar-bodied/acting fish like loaches. Aside from this, as it reaches maturity (at 6 inches) it often takes a dislike to upper fish for reasons that are not really known. This is not a "community" fish. Check the profile, click on Red Tailed Shark.

I agree with what has been said by Sanguinefox. I too would not consider clown loach until you have the proper sized tank. As for the others, a group of 5-7 of a species works with most, and some can be combined, others never. Check our profiles, most of the commonly-available Botia species are included, and it mentions compatibility issues. [You know about the profiles??]

Lots of wood, and I mean lots, as was mentioned; loaches like to select their real estate, so there should be chunks of wood with crevices and tunnels [Malaysian Driftwood is ideal for this] and enough so there are more possible homes than there are loaches.

Byron.
 
#12 ·
One has to distinguish between the norm and the minority. Sometimes an individual fish can behave outside the norm for the species; we don't know why, scientifically--except in cases where the environment (tank space, water parameters, aquascape, tankmates) is different from what the fish requires naturally and erratic behaviours result. But the wise aquarist always assumes the "norm" for a species. Those of us who have not done this in the past usually live to regret it. Dealing with a fish that one has had for several months and that overnight becomes a terror is not always easy. Don't risk your other fish. I stand by the advice in the profile.

Byron.
 
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