Good pond loach?
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here is a story, hope it helps.
I have kept Weather Loaches in my aquariums all my life. They are important bottom cleaners, great community fish, and are very entertaining to watch. Twelve years ago I bought a small pair for my 200 L tank and enjoyed watching them grow and clean the bottom for me. After five years they had grown to over 15 cm long and it was time to find them a bigger home. Not wanting to give them away and with no larger tank at the time, I decided to give them a try in my 1100 L pond outdoors. I live in Washington state (USA) and our winter can be quite harsh, but I figured they would be okay outdoors for the summer time and I would find them a permanent home before winter came. Well, they just loved their new home outdoors and kept the bottom spotless all summer long. By the end of summer they had grown another 3 cm, were eating out of my hands, and very fat and happy. So I decided that I would let them try the winter out there in my pond along with the Koi. I kept a close eye on them to make sure they were doing okay and they have done fine. That was seven years ago. Now they are twelve years old, live outdoors, and are over 20 cm long. I poke holes in the ice when the top freezes over in the winter and keep a small fountain going to circulate the water. I never would have thought they could survive the cold water, but they love the pond and do real well. They share the bottom with a pair of Crayfish and they all get along fine, of course the loaches are bigger. And it is true what they say about the Weather Loaches predicting the weather changes, whenever we are about to get a storm the loaches are swimming rapidly all around the pond and higher in the water column. I always know when a storm is coming just by watching them. In the summertime they laze around in the warmth of the sunbeams that reach the bottom of the pond. They are great little pets and I highly recommend them if you have a large area for them or are willing to pass them on when they get too large for your tank.
I have kept Weather Loaches in my aquariums all my life. They are important bottom cleaners, great community fish, and are very entertaining to watch. Twelve years ago I bought a small pair for my 200 L tank and enjoyed watching them grow and clean the bottom for me. After five years they had grown to over 15 cm long and it was time to find them a bigger home. Not wanting to give them away and with no larger tank at the time, I decided to give them a try in my 1100 L pond outdoors. I live in Washington state (USA) and our winter can be quite harsh, but I figured they would be okay outdoors for the summer time and I would find them a permanent home before winter came. Well, they just loved their new home outdoors and kept the bottom spotless all summer long. By the end of summer they had grown another 3 cm, were eating out of my hands, and very fat and happy. So I decided that I would let them try the winter out there in my pond along with the Koi. I kept a close eye on them to make sure they were doing okay and they have done fine. That was seven years ago. Now they are twelve years old, live outdoors, and are over 20 cm long. I poke holes in the ice when the top freezes over in the winter and keep a small fountain going to circulate the water. I never would have thought they could survive the cold water, but they love the pond and do real well. They share the bottom with a pair of Crayfish and they all get along fine, of course the loaches are bigger. And it is true what they say about the Weather Loaches predicting the weather changes, whenever we are about to get a storm the loaches are swimming rapidly all around the pond and higher in the water column. I always know when a storm is coming just by watching them. In the summertime they laze around in the warmth of the sunbeams that reach the bottom of the pond. They are great little pets and I highly recommend them if you have a large area for them or are willing to pass them on when they get too large for your tank.
Also I wouldn't go with the Golden variety... they dont seem to be as hardy as the Weathered.
Also when taking cracking holes in the ice, I have head that you shouldn't just get a shovel and hit the ice....its better to make small holes all over the place. Also I dont see a reason why you couldn't add a heater to the mix, but I am not a pond expert.
Also when taking cracking holes in the ice, I have head that you shouldn't just get a shovel and hit the ice....its better to make small holes all over the place. Also I dont see a reason why you couldn't add a heater to the mix, but I am not a pond expert.
That sounds awesome! I mean NJ is on the same latitude as Japan practically so I had my suspicions. I really want loaches but I dont have indoor space for them. Also I feel bad for my goldies. I want them to be in a little herd.
How many gallons would you recommend for 6 goldfish and 3 loaches? 300g? More?
How deep is your pond BTWs?
How many gallons would you recommend for 6 goldfish and 3 loaches? 300g? More?
How deep is your pond BTWs?
I've heard of weather loaches overwintering as far north as canada. Granted I haven't tried it myself.
I think if you get a simple pond heater to keep it from completely freezing you should be ok.
And I agree the golden varieties don't tend to be as hardy, so I'd go with the standard ones. It might help if you grow them a little bigger indoors first. I think the bigger ones are probably more likely to overwinter.
I think if you get a simple pond heater to keep it from completely freezing you should be ok.
And I agree the golden varieties don't tend to be as hardy, so I'd go with the standard ones. It might help if you grow them a little bigger indoors first. I think the bigger ones are probably more likely to overwinter.
300 would probably work with adequate filtration, but you may as well go as big as you can. With more room, you could always add a couple more of each
