Golden sucking loach

[appleblossom]

Well my borneo loach died yesterday so I went to my lfs to find a replacement, the guy recommended golden sucking loaches, which I bought 2 of...

But after checking them out on the internet it seems they can get aggressive as they mature and suck out the eyes of other fish.

I rang the guy and he said he had never heard of that happening but I can take them back to swap for something else, or see how they go for a few days before I make up my mind.


Any experiences or suggestions??

 

[ryan]

The infamous Gyrinocheilus aymonieri!

When young they normally do a good job of cleaning up algae etc, but as they mature they become aggressive especailly towards their own species and will become lazy not bothering to eat algae. I have also heard of them sucking on other larger fish, often larger disc shaped fish.

 

[appleblossom]

Thanks for the scientific name ryan, i typed it in google and found this: Adult Size: 11 inches (27 cm)

I told him I couldnt have a pleco because I dont have the space and his comment was "well these are about your only option if you want something small"

11 inches isnt small!


I'll wait for a few more replies but I think they'll be going back tomorrow

shame cos they are pretty little things

 

[Ruby Shark]

My friend had one of those in his tanks. He finally had to take him back after about a year. He bullied most of his other fish and he lost a few because of it.
He like you, was also told by a guy at the lfs that they would stay small. Well while we were at the lfs returning him we saw one that was about 7 or 8 inches.