Betta And 3 Kuhli Loaches

[xoedusk]

I posted this question in Betta, but thought I'd give this a try as well, as it has more traffic.

We want to create a nice betta tank. Sand substrate, small bit of wood, minimal small plants, etc. Heated, filtered. We (or I should say I, on this one) really want kuhli loaches also. Would these get along well with a betta? Say 3 kuhli loaches and a betta in a 5 U.S. gallon (19 litres)?

Or would I need to go bigger?

 

[MHunt]

They occupy different places in the tank so in theory it seems ok. That said a 5 gal is probably too small for the amount of fish. The kuhli's grow to about 3.5 inches anyway, and the betta about 3 so you have a fish length of 13.5 inches in total.

The fish combination seems fine, just increase the size of the tank you're thinking of.

 

[xoedusk]

They occupy different places in the tank so in theory it seems ok. That said a 5 gal is probably too small for the amount of fish. The kuhli's grow to about 3.5 inches anyway, and the betta about 3 so you have a fish length of 13.5 inches in total.

The fish combination seems fine, just increase the size of the tank you're thinking of.

Since the loaches are tiny tiny in cross section, does this affect their "effective fish length" queue thing (not sure what to call it).

 

[MHunt]

I think you would consider them the same even though they have a small body for their length.

But a 5.5 gal tank is really tiny. I know the betta doesn't produce alot of waste, but i don't know about the kuhlies.

I'd say IMO put the kuhlies in your 20 gal and keep the 5.5 for your betta alone. Or use your 10 gal quarantine for the betta and kuhlies and get a 5.5 gal as a quarantine / hospital tank.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

how's a 10g with 1 betta and 3-5 khulis sound?

it shouldn't be any problem if you've got a mutt vt (they're not bred for aggression), but i'd keep an eye on things if the betta is from a show-line or is a plakat of any sort. but even if things do go poorly, so long as you have a fine gravel or sand, the khulis can easily escape into the substrate.

 

[xoedusk]

how's a 10g with 1 betta and 3-5 khulis sound?

it shouldn't be any problem if you've got a mutt vt (they're not bred for aggression), but i'd keep an eye on things if the betta is from a show-line or is a plakat of any sort. but even if things do go poorly, so long as you have a fine gravel or sand, the khulis can easily escape into the substrate.

Would Crowntails be bad?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I'm not sure about CT's there pretty common and are carried in most fish stores so i'd also say those wouldn't be bred for agression.

 

[xoedusk]

Thank you all for voting! I think we're going to put the betta and 4 kuhli loaches in our 10 gallon (converting it to a sandy substrate with slate rocks for hiding) and buy a new 5 gallon for a hospital tank.

But please feel free to vote more if you haven't already! I'll be checking this poll often.


Thanks again.

 

[Ristof]

The bigger the tank means fewer water changes because there is a bigger water volume to work with