View Full Version : Botia Loaches?
megoto
09-11-2009, 7:12 PM
Do all the Botia loaches eat snails or is it just the clown loach that will eat them? I have 75g but don't realy want the clowns as they get to big.
customdrum
09-11-2009, 7:28 PM
yes they will eat snails, i want some just to eat snails and they look nice to
from what we have been told, and the research we have done, apparently only clown loaches eat snail. However, weather loaches are suppose to eat them too. Have a 29G loaded with snails and we would like to try the weather (dojo) loach to see if they do take care of them.
Anyone had any luck with the weather/dojo loach?
FastFly67
09-11-2009, 8:11 PM
My botias LOVE snails
fishorama
09-11-2009, 8:11 PM
I have both striatas & sids in a 75g & only find small empty snail shell except in the filters. I think it depends on the loaches & how hungry they are. All the botiias like to be in a social group of 5 or more. Histrionicas & kubotai are pretty too.
Get loaches because they're fun, cool fish not just for snail control. Feed less for fewer snails, try smushing a few on the glass to see if your other fish learn to like them. Assassin snails also eat snails or you can try trapping the snails or just feeding a biggish piece of veggie at night & remove it, covered in snails, in the morning.
megoto
09-11-2009, 8:47 PM
I love loaches and I have a snail problem that's why I was wondering. :) Thank you for the help. I just don't like how big the clowns get. I've been looking at the Botia striata.
FastFly67
09-11-2009, 8:51 PM
If you're looking to order online, be aware those there are two different types of botia striata out there.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m253/erinmmcc/027.jpg
Make sure you have know which one you're getting.
paperdragon
09-11-2009, 8:51 PM
from what we have been told, and the research we have done, apparently only clown loaches eat snail. However, weather loaches are suppose to eat them too. Have a 29G loaded with snails and we would like to try the weather (dojo) loach to see if they do take care of them.
Anyone had any luck with the weather/dojo loach?
Weather loaches do not eat snails, and are not suitable for 29g tanks - especially considering that they are cold water fish.
No serpentine loaches will eat snails unless the snail is dead or nearly dead already.
Thank you for that! I read a bit more on them and saw that they also prefer to be in groups so that rules them out for another reason.
Once again these sites are a better resource than the LFS.
fishorama
09-12-2009, 3:51 PM
If you're looking to order online, be aware those there are two different types of botia striata out there.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m253/erinmmcc/027.jpg
Make sure you have know which one you're getting.
You've got striatas & b. histrionica if you didn't know already. Both are great!
Weather loaches do not eat snails, and are not suitable for 29g tanks - especially considering that they are cold water fish.
No serpentine loaches will eat snails unless the snail is dead or nearly dead already.
:iagree:My experience exactly with dojos and kuhlis.
gtclipse01
09-21-2009, 11:29 AM
kubotai = win if you don't have the space for clowns.