Dwarf Chain Loaches

[n3ont3tra]

I'm considering switching out some of the fish in my 29g for something new. I saw Smithrc's video and I really like the dwarf chain loaches. Is a 29g big enough for a group? 30"x12"x18". More questions after someone answers that.

 

[Lupin]

I'm considering switching out some of the fish in my 29g for something new. I saw Smithrc's video and I really like the dwarf chain loaches. Is a 29g big enough for a group? 30"x12"x18". More questions after someone answers that.

I'd keep 6 in that tank.

 

[n3ont3tra]

What kind of tankmates? Would tiger barbs or zebra danios be okay? What about black khuli loaches?

 

[Rubix]

with my experience zebra danios get very greedy at feeding time, thus chomping down on the majority of the food before my kubotai get enough. i imagine they'd do the same with sidthimunkis. perhaps a different danio species or a tetra or barb would be ideal

 

[smithrc]

I use Tetra Prima to feed ours - some of it floats - some of it sinks - some of it sinks slowly - this means everyone gets some

they are a small fish - 6 in there will be fine.

 

[Majjie]

I know this post was a few days ago ... but I've only just popped over.

I have six chain loaches in a 20g tank and they're fine. They have a couple of pieces of very craggy bogwood in there, which they love sitting on, in or under.

I used to keep them with tiger barbs, pearl and zebra danios and I worried about them when they were little because I didn't think they were getting enough food. Used to use a pipette/syringe to squirt food just in front of their noses. Once they've grown up a bit, though, they're quite capable of fending for themselves. They swim up and catch food in mid-water.

They're just in with the tiger barbs now. I've moved the danios to a bigger tank.

The only thing to be wary of ... is if any of your other fish are sick. The chain loaches will try to get a feed of slime (or even an eye!) if any of the other fish slow right down. I wouldn't keep the loaches with any slow moving fish and I'd now isolate any sick ones as soon as I noticed a problem. One of the barbs lost an eye three or four months ago and, although I have no proof, I suspect a loach caught her in an unsuspecting moment. Doesn't seem to affect her now though - she's obviously learnt a lesson.