Loach advice required please.

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andytwite

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Apr 25, 2004
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I'm considering getting a loach for my 29gal community tank. I've trawled my LFS's and have so far found a few on offer. I've researched them on the internet, but would love to hear from people about their experiences with loaches and any other advice as much I have read appears to varied and often contradictary.The major factor here is probably size, I don't want to have to get rid of something 12 months down the road.

These are what I could get:

1. Clown Loaches: one LFS has some very small ones but I understand these suckers can get pretty large and I don't want to have to get rid of them in a year or so....much as I love the look of them.

2. Tiger botia (tiger loach): not sure about these, they look kind of interesting, but I did read somewhere they can be a bit aggressive? Size: up to 8"?

3. Burmese loach (polka-dot loach? Botia kubotai?). Two BEAUTIFUL specimens. I read they can be kept singly and can reach up to 8" (only one source quoted this, most others state 4-6" is more likely)

4. Kuhli loach: Intersting looking, quite attractive, stay small? Only two available...is this enough as I read they like groups.

Here are the others in the tank they would be co-habiting:

3 platies
2 guppies
6 neon tetras
4 albino cories

What does everyone think? *celebrate
 
I've only had them for a couple of weeks but I love my khuli loaches. For the first few days they were pretty shy. I almost never saw them. They are now very active in the tank even when the lights are on.

My tank is very well planted with lots of hiding spaces so my guess is they feel pretty save venturing out knowing that the next hiding spot is close by. Like OrionGirl said in GFW you could ge the two now and add more later. They grow to about 4" in length or so but they stay very thin so its not your typical 4" fish. I have 4 in my 29g now and I'm giving serious thought to getting a couple more.

You're right about clowns. They're too big in the long run and they can grow relatively quickly at first. I don't have any knowledge of the other two loaches though, sorry.

Tom
 
Clown loaches do get large and they prefer to school on top of getting big. They are very peacful fish.

The kuhlis are one of my favorites. They are shy at first. I guess if you looked sort of like a worm in a fish tank you would be shy too! They also like to be in groups and will come out when they feel comfortable but they like hiding places.

I had some hornwort floating in my tank that got real thiick. The kuhlis would swim through it.
 
Yo-yos are great too. They get to around 5" and are very peaceful. I've never noticed mine show any aggression toward any other fish and they are always out and about. They are the only fish that stay more toward the top of the tank when I do a water change. I put my hand in and they often come over and bump into it. I would recommend them if you can find them.
 
Look into weather loaches. They are long, slender fish and very peaceful. I have one, and everytime I stick my hand in the tank he will swim between my fingers. Kinda aggravating trying to vacuum or rearrange, but cool to.
They look like a broom handle with whiskers... :p
They WILL jump out if your tank is not covered good. They come up for a gulp of air every so often, and without a cover, they just keep going...:D
 
Khuli Loaches are the most suitable IMHO.

If you do want something else I would look for a trio of Zebra Loaches (Botia striata). These are peaceful for Loaches and get to about 3-4" max.

Don't get a Tiger Loach :eek: I kept one and they are absolutely savage. It will kill all your other fish (except perhaps the Corries) quickly.

Good luck :)
 
I was all set on getting some kuhlis and then my LFS took delivery of some juvenile yo-yo's. I now have 3 of the cutest yo-yo's in my tank and they are an absolute joy to watch......quite the cheeky little scamps. Very peaceful and EXCELLENT and cleaning up!

Thank you all for yor input, it was much appreciated.
 
The Kuhli loach(es)..Sound the best for your tank at the moment.. i suggest at least a 55g tank for any Clownloach or Tigerloach

You may want to look up a SkunkBotia / HorasLoach.. These little guys are almost perfect for 20-29g

http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_morleti.html

Adding to that.. clowns do like to have a school of 3 or more. you need a Big tank for them.
 
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