Coolie Loaches

[Tropicalfishfn2k]

Could you use small gravel in a tank with coolie loaches or do they need a tank with a sand? Because i heard that they could eassily injure themselfs.

 

[Shelly_Otterkin]

They love sand but as long as the gravel is not sharp they will be fine.

 

[riverman444]

Agrees with Shelly. It's easier for Loaches (and Corys) to forage in the sand. As long as the gravel is round and not rough you will be fine. Keep an eye out and watch them. If they start to get shrunken bellies try putting a large patch of sand in the corner and feed them from it. I had to help a buddy once. He had large pea gravel and decided to buy some corys and loaches. He called and told me they were sick. When I got there they were soooo skinny and malnourished. I went and got some sand and put a patch probably 4inches square in the back of the tank. He feeds them from there and now they are fine.

 

[Tropicalfishfn2k]

Thanks for the Info... I am going to start up a new tank in a month or 2 and i am planning ahead of time for it, so if i get sand how would i clean it before i add the sand to the tank? I used a strainer for the gravel when ever i use gravel

 

[Bloo]

I have small rounded "pea" gravel and seems to be fine. I also had some in a sand tank, and can't say I particularly noticed them appreciating sand above gravel

 

[Captain Retardo]

how would i clean it before i add the sand to the tank?

put it into a bucket, keep put water into it until the water is clear (this could take a long time)

 

[Torrean]

I tried that method of cleaning sand but I simply was not patient enough for it. I took an empty five gallon out in the yard and put a 1 inch layer of sand in the bottom filled it up and let the water run. Then I got bored so I stirred the sand up really well and dumped out all the water leaving only the sand that had already sunk to the bottom in the tank. I repeated this about 6 times and the water cleared in a matter of seconds.

 

[Tropicalfishfn2k]

Last Question about coolie Loaches, Are they jumpers? Do they jump out of tanks easily ?