New Polkadot Loach's

[AngelMax]

We went and got 2 new polkadot loaches for our tank yesterday. We have put them in a 14L Quarantine tank along with 6 neon tetras for a few days to ensure we are not introducing any sick fish into our healthy main tank.

I have also put in the Q tank a plastic plant and a plastic cup for the loaches to hide in. The only thing is they have buried themselves under the cup and have only appeared a few times in the last two days. I have fed them with slow releasing tablet food as well as some flake food...they do not seem to be eating...just hiding!

Is this normal? any advise would be appreciated.

LOACHLOVER!

 

[BOD]

do u mean polka dot botias??? well if u do ive had mine for ages and he still hides under a rock and only comes out for food...he has got a bit more confident and active with time....they like to be in groups though so i am going to get him some friends...

 

[KentBlokey]

Loaches like Catfish I think need a while to settle in...Give them at least a week or two to get used to their surroundings...

 

[squirrelrabbits]

I got five of these polkadot loaches (botia angelicus) and they were very shy for a long time... over a month. But in time they came out and in fact they are pretty outgoing now. I have them in a 29g with a rather large red-finned loach (botia modesta) who has never been willing to put up with anyone--a very fierce and grmupy fish. He lets these five, however, share his cave with him now, which is quite wonderful to see (as they all noodle in on top of him and he grudgingly moves over). I would give it a few weeks (as others have said), and maybe put out food at night, so they can come out and get it under cover of darkness. Also: make sure you've got a good hiding spot and if possible, get them one more friend if possible, because these loaches like to be in a group of at least three (though I believe five is better). Hope this helps.

 

[Fiori]

I got 2 myself just over a week ago and they hid away for the first couple of days. I fed them bloodworm after lights out to entice them. Then they started out and about and there's no stopping them now. I'm sure yours will settle in as well given a bit of time and some nice food. Lovely active fish - I'm going to get some more

 

[AngelMax]

Thanks to everyone that replied to my post. Like you say, it may take a while to adjust into their new enviroment.

I think once they are put into the 30G tank with loads of plants and a good chunk of bogwood they will be loads happier.

Once again thanks all you lovers

 

[LoachLover]

Sorry it took me awhile to get here

I have 4 Polka Dot loaches in a 55 gallon tank and they are out and about all the time. They like to be in groups of 4, so yeah they tend to hide when in smaller groups.

 

[AngelMax]

Sorry it took me awhile to get here

I have 4 Polka Dot loaches in a 55 gallon tank and they are out and about all the time. They like to be in groups of 4, so yeah they tend to hide when in smaller groups.

Thanks LoachLover....

Do you think it would be ok to have another 2 in my 30G(UK) tank?

 

[LoachLover]

Might be, I had a pair and they did fine for over a month and then I got 2 more so now they are a group of 4. But when it was just the 2 of them they did fine.

 

[Bloo]

I have 2 and they are out and about scavenging all the time - lovely to watch!

 

[AngelMax]

I haven't seen them for 2 days now!! I have sat and looked for them both with no joy!!!

All the other fish are doing ok... I am a little worried about them now.....