Zebra Loach, Possibly Skunk, for a 20L

Lansirill

Lansirill

Mathemagician
Jun 14, 2007
248
0
16
Washington, DC
After learning that most of the botiine loaches, not just the clown, will go about the loachy dance and in general just be entertaining fat fish, I've started to think about getting a small loach tank. After looking around a bit I think that my options would be either a zebra or a skunk loach. I'd be using a 20L or possibly (if it's reasonably priced and I can find one) a partially filled tank measuring up to 35"x14". I need to keep the weight under 250 pounds for the rack I have, so putting in much more than 20 gallons of water really isn't an option.

I'll get the skunks out of the way first. First of all while they have the shape, I don't know if they actually count as botiine. Secondly I know that they can be aggressive. I'll be putting some dither fish into the tank, and I'll pick ones that could handle being chased, but at 20G there may just not be enough room for an aggressive species. I suspect that I can't really consider these guys in such a small tank, but I like how they look and the low price tag on them makes them attractive.

As far as the zebras go, my only real question is if they'd be alright in a 20L. If they aren't going to swim around and act naturally then there's really no point in me trying this, since the whole point of getting the fish in the first place is to watch them swim around and act naturally. Again, the only other thing that would go into the tank would be some small dither fish. I have (most) of the fancy fish that I want in my community tank already, so I don't really feel the need to complicate the tank.

Other than those two I'm sure I could fit some dwarf chain loaches and probably could do kuhlis, however the former are (supposedly) expensive and hard to find, while the later aren't quite what I'm looking for.
 
What exactly is the issue with the weight capacity of the "rack"? Can it be reinforced in any way? Reason being is that you'll be better off option wize, plus the fish will be better off, with that 35" tank filled up. What filter(s) do you intend using? A HOB isn't going to work on a partially filled tank.

Skunks (which are Botiines) are too feisty for a 20 Long. It will be a constant battleground and hardly relaxing or entertaining. Zebras will do better in the bigger tank than in a 20. You really should have at least 5 and in a 20 they'll be a bit cramped.

The Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki would be a good bet for a 20 as would kuhlis, but it's obvious that you want some swimming, schooling action. Sids would be your best bet and you could probably have about 8 in that size tank IF you have decent filtration and water movement. Small Danios or Rasboras make good dither-fish.

Martin.
 
The "rack" is a wire storage/baking rack. It's hardly ideal, but I'm somewhat limited for space right now and I already have it set up. The shelves are rated for 250 pounds each. I imagine that they can safely hold more than that, so I could probably sneak in a 30G (which I'm guessing would weigh between 250 and 300 pounds.) I'd rather be conservative with my weight however.
 
This reply is long but, it will explain why the Botia Loaches are the greatest.

Presently I has two 10 gallon tanks with Magnum 350 canister filters and bio-wheels. These tanks are only temporary untill my aquariun cabinet gets varnished this weekend.

Each tank has six Botias of three different species.
Tank 1
2 each Dwarf Loach (Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki)
2 each Skunk Loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti)
2 each Twin Banded Loach (Botia rostrata)

Everyone gets along and in the early 2 or 3am they dance.

Tank 2 has:
3 each Polka-Dot Loach (Botia kubotai)
2 each "Yoyo" Loach (Botia almorhae)
1 each Zebra Loach (Botia striata)

These six are always dancing and fun to watch.

My goal is to have 150 gallon Botia Loach community tank with 36 of as many species as I can find in my area. To get to 36 Botias plans are increase the community by species of 3's, like odd numbers.

Fair warning of only having one Botia by it's self. They need buddies. My second species was 2 Twin Banded Loaches (Botia rostrata). Placed them in my quarintine tank for observation for a week. Day 2, one died and I did not have time to get another right away. Day 3 the 2nd loaches was no where to be foyund in the tank. I moved everything several time and gently sifted the bottom. It was gone. Frustrated, it dawned on me. the only place I did not check was in the filter. Sure enough, it was in just enough water to flow over it's gills.
F.Y.I., before you atempt to catch the loach, turn off the filter. Before I could turn off the filter Houdini flew down the intake tube and suddenly I could hear the impeller just a beating Houdini. Got him into the tank and found 10% of his gill on display, gill plate was severed. After 2 weeks he seemed to be healthy and disappearing again. Finally realized he would swim up the filters waterfall. So, I blocked off that access. Houdini's next trick was now always on my mind. This one fish was making me stressed and tired. Two day after blocking the waterfall he was not in the tank. I just about took a step to my right and just happened to look down for some reason, Houdinin is the worlds greatest escape artist ever. He was on the floor long enough for his skin to stick to my fingers just like a moist booger
you can't flick off. C.P.R. NOW the Doctor cried aloud. Began resuscitation by holding his tail moving his forward and back to move water through his gills. A good minute must have passed the I saw his gill plates move. He slowly swam to his hidding den. The next day I give him a new Twin Banned buddy. Two days latter he was eatting and sociallizing.

From that last escape of Houdini's, I have never had any more problems.
I truely believe Houdini was searching for a buddy.
 
Martin Thoene said:
The Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki would be a good bet for a 20 as would kuhlis, but it's obvious that you want some swimming, schooling action. Sids would be your best bet and you could probably have about 8 in that size tank IF you have decent filtration and water movement. Small Danios or Rasboras make good dither-fish.
Click to expand...

I agree. :) Most Botias are too active for a 20g tank (even a 20L) and I'd suggest atleast a 4ft tank for most of them (Yoyos, Zebras, Skunks...).

Y. sidthimunki would be your best bet because they stay smaller than the others and would be fine in a 20g.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom