Loach suggestions

[Mad Highlander]

I need to cure a snail problem so I'm guessing that a loach would be the answer. I have successfully kept clown loaches in the past, but I want to try something different.

I would like a single loach that won't grow too large and that would do well in a 40 gallon tank with:
1x angelfish
2x festivums (who can be somewhat aggresive when they spawn)
3x ottos
1x clown pleco
3x panda cories

Any suggestions?

 

[kuhli]

re loach suggestions

As loaches are fish with social structured behaviour.They won't be happy all alone. At least get 2 or 3. If you want snail eaters some botia histrionicas (golden zebra loach) don't get too big and love snails.
Kuhli

 

[Mad Highlander]

How are they with plants?

 

[shimanocono]

I would have said clown loaches but it seems you want soemthing new so I can't help you there since I don't know much about bottom feeders! All I know is clown loaches love their snails!

 

[ogopogo]

Yo-yo loaches will do a good job cleaning up snails but you will need at least 2 of them as they definitely do better in groups. They are quite active and interesting to watch. They get about 4" long. Plants should be safe with them - mine never bothered the plants.

 

[carpguy]

I have snails in my semi-emersed crypt bowl.

I have never seen a snail in my much more heavily planted tank.

I credit the 4 zebra loaches (recently joined by a stray histrionica). They're great fish, very playful, stay small, and are definitely social fish. I'd try a few small loaches, zebra, yoyo, histrionica (if you can find them) are all great little guys (I think the yoyos get a tad bigger than the others).

 

[Hootchieman]

Just make sure the tank is properly covered. One of my YoYo's squeezed through a very small opening between the filter and canopy. He survived okay for awhile, but just passed away last week.