Thinking of getting loaches to help with my snails
 

So we have the apparently standard problem of snails now in our tank! I have been reading about loaches doing the dirty work of eating them and was thinking of getting one or two to start in on the population. I was thinking of getting them anyway, so I guess it's just sooner rather than later! My question is- do they need to be kept in any specific numbers? Can I just get one, or would two be better? Don't want unhappy loaches! Need them to be nice and happy so they can eat my stupid snails!

Thanks so much!

Is it clown loaches you're looking at getting? If so, they are much more comfortable being kept in groups. What size is your tank?

I've got a 30 gallon. I'm not partial to any particular loach (they're all neat) but was considering clown loaches. We're hoping to upgrade to a larget tank in 6 months to a year so I was thinking they'd be ok as long as we upgrade size to a 50+ gallon at least.

Thanks for your help! It's much appreciated!!

What else is in the tank? Yo-Yo loaches are pretty cool. Some other non-loach snail eaters are puffers, and sailfin millies. (not trying to turn you off to loaches, just letting you know your options)

In a 30g, or 50g, I'd recommend kuhlies. They like to be kept in groups, but will eat snails as well. :)

Right now, just a handful of tetras, but they're actually getting ready to be moved to a 10 gallon. I'm going to stock the 30 with a couple of cichlids, which I hear also eat an occasional snail. That's why I was thinking of loaches. I heard they do pretty well with cichlids.

When you say groups of loaches, is that anything specific? 2, 3, 100? Does it matter?

I think clowns need 5-6 which would be too much for a 50g, whereas Kuhlies do well in 3-4 and this would be fine for a 30g or a 50g.

Kuhlis or Skunk botias. I have Botias in with swords and they will eat any snails I give them. Never bothered the other fish although it is said they can be aggressive.