View Full Version : loaches for a 10 gal
nursie
10-07-2005, 11:27 AM
I have clown loaches and kuhli loaches in my 55 gal. Is there any kind of loach that would be happy in a 10 gallon and eat SNAILS? I have tons there.
Galaxie
10-07-2005, 11:30 AM
I'd like to find one too. For now, I just fish them out regularly. I think my 2 corys might eat the baby snails/ eggs. Not sure though. Haven't seen many babies since putting the corys in.
SnakeIce
10-07-2005, 12:57 PM
I was going to suggest Botia sidthimunki, but they have been placed on the IUCN red list of threatened species. Even those would be iffy as to long term houseing in a 10 gallon.
I don't know of any loaches that would fit a ten gallon tank well. My first thought was khulies, but since you already have some I figure that has been considered.
FreddytheFish
10-07-2005, 2:40 PM
the Yoyo loach, Botia almorhae will fit in a ten gallon, and im pretty sure they eat snails
you could get a kuhli loach like you have in your 55, but i'm not sure if they eat snails
I'm pretty sure there are some more species, you might want to see if you can find one on Loaches.com (http://www.loaches.com)
To 'FreddytheFish'
I am 99.9% sure a yoyo loach (Botia almorhae) will not fit in a 10 gallon tank, or at least not comfortably anyway.
While i have heard stories of kuhli loachs eating snails, but i have not come across it with my own eyes yet.
I recommend putting one of your kuhli loachs in the 10 gallon for a few days, ensuring the environment is ok for the loach, and see what happens. If it does not start to show signs of interest in the snails, return him to his 50 gallon tank (as you would if he was a new addition to the tank again).
All i can think of after that is completely starting a fresh in the 10 gallon tank, clearing the whole tank out, and giving everything a thorough wash.
-Joshy
nursie
10-08-2005, 10:24 AM
Lol, Joshy..you're assuming I can catch one of my kuhlis!
I have thought about moving them over to the 10 gal...would it be too small for them?
I did post a question on the loach site, thanks for the link.
Do not get me wrong Michelle but i do not want you thinking i am any expert lol.
But yeah, the 10 gallon would be way to small for all 3 kuhli loaches.
I recommend attempting to catch one of them and putting him/her in the 10 gal.
Obviously you will need to adopt the 10 gal a bit to suit their needs, and see if he/she takes any notice of the snails.
There is a debate as to whether kuhli loaches have a liking for snails. As i said, i have read cases that they do, and others that they do not. Maybe it is down to character, you will have to message me another time and let me know what happened :)
-Joshy
fishtank88
10-08-2005, 1:51 PM
im not sure but i have a skunk loach in my 10g and he is doing just fine i dont kno the biggest size they get but he doin just fine and hides under my drift wood all day
but come out every now and then
Aqualung
10-08-2005, 9:35 PM
I was going to suggest Botia sidthimunki, but they have been placed on the IUCN red list of threatened species. Even those would be iffy as to long term houseing in a 10 gallon.
Dwarf Chain loaches definitely are not a good fit for a ten gallon. They remain smaller than most other loaches, but they are incredibly active scavengers that need a good amount of room to swim. They are active in all levels of the tank as well. I often feel that the 4 in my 40BR need more room than they have, and would likely be much more content with more of their kind as well.
I think kuhlis woud probably be the best bet as fish go, unless you wanted to convert it into a dwarf puffer tank. Other than that, I would just remove as many as possible by hand. If you do this every day, it won't take long to see a decline in the snail population. Also - cut back on the feedings and see what happens. Feeding once every other day will not deprive the fish, but will cut down on rapid snail reproduction.
nursie
10-09-2005, 10:22 AM
I am actually considering the dwarf puffer route. I checked with the folks over at the loach board and they say no loaches will work in a 10 gallon
fish_breeder_05
10-12-2005, 9:39 PM
dojos
MonoSebaelover
10-12-2005, 11:45 PM
Dojo's get way too large for a 10g and are quite active. What about temporarily housing a loach such as a Striata or Yoyo then perhaps moving it to the 55? Just a thought. Dwarf Puffers are very good at destroying snails! Just watch the fins of other fish :)! Hope this helps and good luck!
ZakaSPFC
10-13-2005, 7:02 AM
hillstream loaches. they grow to be like 3 inches
wataugachicken
10-13-2005, 2:40 PM
they don't eat snails. mostly just algae and pellet foods.
Galaxie
10-13-2005, 2:49 PM
they don't eat snails. mostly just algae and pellet foods.
Yes, he's sorta like a flexible Pleco.