pakistani loach

[mister ben]

Hi all. I just brought home a Botia lohachata (Pakistani Loach) from my lfs. I'm still a novice and have been working closely with a particular employee. I went to talk to him today and he suggested I try one out in my tank. He really likes trying to expose myself and my g/f to new fish (we are still trying to find out what kinds we really like) and he thought that it was an appropriate fish for me at this time.

Anyways, I have already done a bit of research, but I was just wondering if anybody who has experience with this fish would like to share some thoughts about these fish.

Also, just in case it matters to you, the new guy is in a 10 gallon with 3 panda cory and 4 harlequin rasbora (who are soon to be replaced), with fake plants.

 

[Vitaliy]

I am not too sure but I think in a 10 gallon the Pakistan Loach will try to go after the corys.

 

[twdockery3]

This is my favorite loach. They like to shoal and enjoy groups. It is really fun to watch them hunt for snails together. They also like to dig around and burrow so I like to give them a sand substrate with caves scattered about the tank. They will take several other types of food like shrimp and assorted worms, will take it out of your hand, and can recognize people. If I were you I would get one or two more Pakistani Loaches and have it be a species only tank. Ideally they will eventually need a bigger tank as I have had them grow up to 4 inches and because they need room to scavenge. In addition, they tend to be big eaters (even when you don't feed them because of constantly reproducing snails) so you need good filtration as well. And last but not least, keep the temperature constant on the high end, where Gouramis like it.