I'm in for it!

[Quick5oh]

Hey guys,

Just set up my new 40g tank a few days ago and so far all has been going well. I have 4 yoyo loaches in there and they are some of the best fish I have ever owned. After just having them for a few days, I can already see that they have such a personality. When I reach my hand in the tank they try to nip at the hairs on my arm and also nip at my skin. But today when I came home I was in for a surprise. I came to the tank to count the loaches and only counted 3! First thought was that one jumped out.. I checked all around the tank and there was nothing... I proceeded to tear the whole tank apart looking for him and couldn't find him anywhere... A little upset I was about to leave when I saw something fluttering in my Aquaclear filter that I am using to help cycle this tank. Sure enough, there is the little loach just kicking it in the top of the filter! I put him back in the water and he did a few laps around the tank before heading to his cave.. Sorry for the rant haha, I just haven't had any fish that have been this much fun before. Is this normal behavior?

[LeahK]

Glad to hear he's ok! That would have freaked me out if it'd happened in my tank, but I have heard of fish getting in the filters before. I guess he jumped upstream where the water flows out?

[Quick5oh]

Yea, that's the only way he could have gotten in there.. and right next to the filter, there is a small hole in the tank. SO good thing he went into the filter and not onto the floor...

[Lupin]

Loaches are capable of almost anything. They tend to be good escape artists although I have yet to experienced that with mine despite all my tanks being open-topped.

[Quick5oh]

Yea, I gotta watch these guys closely! Because as of now, half my top is missing as well. My girlfriend accidentally dropped it and the glass broke...


Oh yea and a quick question.. Do you think 4 loaches is enough or should I bring the group up to 6?

[Lupin]

It never hurts to add more. The more, the merrier. You might want to know these fish are very fast growers so you'll end up with those at 4-inch mark in less than 6 months if you're diligent with water changes and feeding rations. They grow to 6 inches although at 4-inch mark, the growth rate slows down. Don't be surprised if some become bloated. They're simply ripe with eggs but spawning rarely occurs which is very unfortunate.:(

[Quick5oh]

That's what I was figuring, I will probably go back sometime next week and get a couple more. As for the growing, that is pretty sweet. I didn't expect them to grow that fast by any means. That is unfortunate about the breeding though, I was reading that it is super uncommon.. Oh well, that's what my molly tank is for!

Just though of this, do you think it would be better to add another group of loaches, say like zebra loaches as well, or stick with the yoyo's?

Sorry for the questions.. I'm still a newb.

[Lupin]

That's what I was figuring, I will probably go back sometime next week and get a couple more. As for the growing, that is pretty sweet. I didn't expect them to grow that fast by any means. That is unfortunate about the breeding though, I was reading that it is super uncommon.. Oh well, that's what my molly tank is for!

Just though of this, do you think it would be better to add another group of loaches, say like zebra loaches as well, or stick with the yoyo's?

Sorry for the questions.. I'm still a newb.
If you can upgrade to a 55g, then adding another group is not a problem otherwise stick with yoyos.

[Quick5oh]

Thank you for your help.. I have a 125G in storage, I just dont have room for it right now.. Looks like its gonna have to wait!

[Lupin]

Get rid of your couch. Why have a furniture when you can have tanks?:naughty:

[pik01]

Get rid of your couch. Why have a furniture when you can have tanks?:naughty:

I'd get rid of the TV, I use my laptop anyway. And you can use your couch to watch your fish, remote might not work so well though.