Weather loach in 2 gallon tank?

[CrohnieBoy]

Can I keep a weather loach in a 2 gallon hex tank? It has undergravel filter and an airstone. The lid houses a 15 watt incandescent bulb.

I would like to keep it at work on my desk. I am leaning toward coldwater due to the 'extreme' temperatures at work. (anywhere from 65 to 78 degrees.)

Thank you in advance for any friendly responses.

[Faramir]

Why a weather loach? If I were looking to populate this tank I'd be more likely to consider something that is a bit more - erm - active.

Small group of white cloud?

[CrohnieBoy]

Faramir:

I know White Clouds do better in schools of 4 or more. I wasn't sure if that would be too much load for a 2 gallon without a power filter.

So the weather loach is a slacker you say? Good to know. Thanks.

What about zebra danios? They are similar in characteristics to White Clouds. Just tossing out ideas. :)

And thank you for the quick response.

[OrionGirl]

Weather loaches also get a little too large for a 2 gallon tank, IMO. Instead, look at the kuhli loaches. 3-5 would be just fine in there. You could add some small rocks or wood, maybe some plants for them to hide in, and they would be great. Without larger fish to pester them, these guys are very social and active. I have 5 in a 5 gallon tank with some dwarf gourami. I have some sand, some low light plants (crypts and dwarf barteri), a rock and a chunk of driftwood. Tank has been stable for 2 months now. I do a 1.5 gallon water change once a week, with a topoff of fresh water on Fridays. Feed lightly M-F, skip on the weekends. The kuhlis are always visible--they race around, burrow in the sand, and hang out in the plants. Very popular with my co-workers, as well.

I'll try to get my camera in and post some pics.

[CrohnieBoy]

OrionGirl:

Thanks. I'll look into them!
:)

[latazyo]

kuhli loaches may just be the most interesting fish I have

[wetmanNY]

On a desk you'll have a light-- a desk light focused overhead?-- but it's nice to avoid the wires and such for a heater. That makes the White Clouds a good choice. Or you could have lots of plants and a Paradisefish. Then you can skip the filtration too. No wires at all, except for the light. The plants will take up the ammonia.

[Randy]

I would not give up my weather loach for anything.

[Roland]

Khullis are one of the most under rated aquarium fish. i'd say say a couple of them - ther're (very) hardy, colourfull and interesting to watch.

Big Up the Coolies!!!
:D

[O-man21]

weather loaches get pretty big. I had one somewhere around 6".
Paridise fish would be great in that tank..with plants..java moss maybe..on a rock...

[ChilDawg]

According to **** Mills, Khuli Loaches can reach a maximum size of 4.25". This means that 3-5 of them in a 2 gallon tank is only possible if large water changes are oft-made and if this is only to be a temporary holding tank. Unfortunately, no khuli should be left in a 2-gallon tank for a prolonged period of time, so you must have another tank ready for one khuli to "graduate" your microtank. The only recommendations which I could possibly give for your two gallon tank would be (keep in mind that these are different options, not all to be combined in the same 2 gallon tank):

1.) Betta splendens (1 male or 1 female)
2.) Two guppies
3.) Two platies
4.) Two mollies (and this is pushing it...)
5.) Two dwarf topminnows (Heterandria formosa)
6.) Two SMALL killifish

You absolutely must keep up with a water change schedule if you intend to keep such a small tank. I would recommend that, unless you already have it, you should buy a 10g at minimum (and that is on the low side) but a 20g long is the best starting point. Plus, with the 20-long you could reasonably keep your Weather Loach (I have read that these may attain 8" by maturity.)

Best of Luck!

[fish_breeder_05]

every dojo you see behaves like it is on crack or something. they are as active as you can get.

[spoonsofspinach]

I wouldn't recommend a dojo for such a small tank as they will grow. Mine are really active and fun to watch in my 20 gal. If you're looking for a desk ornament for your 2 gal., go with a betta. They're beautiful and if you treat him right he will be plenty active.

[TKOS]

2 year old thread

[CrohnieBoy]

Thank you all for your responses. But as TKOS said, this is a two year old post. I currently have a 5 gallon in the kitchen, a 20 gallon in the living room, and a 125 built into the wall in the basement. (Slight improvement on the 2 gallon huh? lol

Thanks again to all who posted.