Loach Questions

[Faythee]

I went to LFS and saw an adorable Loach, not sure what kind but not what you typically see in stores. I am considering going to get it tomorrow.

The tank has a Severum, Tiger Barbs, and Silver Dollars. Would they be okay with him ?

The tank has gravel substrate.....Do they absolutely need sand ?

Thanks

 

[kelly528]

Try ID-ing him on loaches online... they have a good pictoral ID thing. We can't be of much help unless we know what species it is.

 

[Faythee]

I tried and couldn't figure out which one it was. I will go to the store tomorrow and find out for sure. Sometimes they don't know themselves, so I will bring the camera.

They have it in the Discus/Angel tank. It is shaped like the Clown Loach, about 5" and fat. They may have had it in there to eat snails as there was no sign for it with a price.

thanks

 

[Wills]

I think a photo will help us ID it but it sounds like some kind of botia loach though it could be a tiger loach which can sometimes be nasty. Usually loaches need to be kept in groups of 5 or more like other shoaling fish. While most prefer sand as long as the gravel is smooth I think you should be okay.

 

[Faythee]

Can the Loaches be mixed or do they all need to be the same species ?

 

[kelly528]

Can the Loaches be mixed or do they all need to be the same species ?

Well, some (eg clowns) need to be the same species, while some loaches (Like my Batik) will fight members of their own species. What I can tell you is that they will most likely butt heads with anything else, loach or no, that comes into their territory. Yupp mixing them would be a feat.

 

[crazychris]

Would help if you'd told us the colour. Was it plain, striped, Y markings or what? The grey-bodied and orange finned Modesta is said to be a bit nasty.

I have 2 big clowns, 3 big Lohacata, 2 striata and 1 big kubotai (never found another one to buy!) and they're fine together. They chase each other a bit, mainly squabbling at bloodworm feeding time, but never seen a split fin on any of them or the other fish. They all huddle together in a long imitation bamboo log that I got from the lfs.

 

[Faythee]

Well I feel like a real dork. It is a full grown Flying Fox !

He's doing well in there. Very playful. Nice find for me as I've never seen them around here.

 

[mr130gallon]

lol, did you buy it then?

 

[Faythee]

lol, did you buy it then?

Yes..........Very happy with him !