RShinjiro
New Member
I was reading Practical Fishkeeping and they had an article on Dwarf Chain Loaches (Y. Sidthimunki) and noted that they are not recommended to be kept with Corydoras Catfish. Since I have actually had these neat little loaches with my various Corydoras for a while now, I thought i'd share my experiences and observations.
I initially bought my first Sidthimunki (he was the last one at the LFS) because I had a snail problem, and I got tired of picking them out manually. The guys at the store had never kept them with Corydoras so were unable to tell me if they would get along or not, but that typically they were peaceful if a bit active. I know have 5 of them (love the little guys) amd have kept them with various Corys so here is what I observed:
With C. Panda, Definitely a no. Pandas were too sheepish with the playful and overactive loaches and even got nipped at a bit. Lost one of them unfortunately who succumbed to stress and lack of a tail fin...
With C. Paleatus, again some nippiness, but no issues whatsoever other then that. As time when on with this combination co-habitating, the loaches started leaving them alone completely.
With C. Duplicareus, never saw them interact at all other then the Corys shooting through the middle of the loach school on their way up for air.
With C. Trillineatus, This pairing actually worked out well! My Trillineatus are very active so they are never a sitting target for the loaches playful demeanor.
With C. Aeneus, same as the Trillineatus
With C. Rabauti, Not sure on this one yet, they seem to be leaving each other alone.
I should also mention that the loaches were in my tank during several spawnings, the Paleatus ended up doing more egg eating then the Sidthimunkis' (I never saw the loaches harass the eggs at all) and the Cory Fry were left alone as well. Of course my tanks had plenty of plants and driftwood for everyone to hide in as well so that probbaly had some to do with it.
Overall, I do enjoy my mini loaches quite a bit (though they were a little on the spendy side) and I am happy they get along with my current group of Corydoras, but I would take some caution in adding them into any tank with Corydoras. If anyone else has any additional observations or experiences with Sidthimunkis, please do tell!
I initially bought my first Sidthimunki (he was the last one at the LFS) because I had a snail problem, and I got tired of picking them out manually. The guys at the store had never kept them with Corydoras so were unable to tell me if they would get along or not, but that typically they were peaceful if a bit active. I know have 5 of them (love the little guys) amd have kept them with various Corys so here is what I observed:
With C. Panda, Definitely a no. Pandas were too sheepish with the playful and overactive loaches and even got nipped at a bit. Lost one of them unfortunately who succumbed to stress and lack of a tail fin...
With C. Paleatus, again some nippiness, but no issues whatsoever other then that. As time when on with this combination co-habitating, the loaches started leaving them alone completely.
With C. Duplicareus, never saw them interact at all other then the Corys shooting through the middle of the loach school on their way up for air.
With C. Trillineatus, This pairing actually worked out well! My Trillineatus are very active so they are never a sitting target for the loaches playful demeanor.
With C. Aeneus, same as the Trillineatus
With C. Rabauti, Not sure on this one yet, they seem to be leaving each other alone.
I should also mention that the loaches were in my tank during several spawnings, the Paleatus ended up doing more egg eating then the Sidthimunkis' (I never saw the loaches harass the eggs at all) and the Cory Fry were left alone as well. Of course my tanks had plenty of plants and driftwood for everyone to hide in as well so that probbaly had some to do with it.
Overall, I do enjoy my mini loaches quite a bit (though they were a little on the spendy side) and I am happy they get along with my current group of Corydoras, but I would take some caution in adding them into any tank with Corydoras. If anyone else has any additional observations or experiences with Sidthimunkis, please do tell!
