SUCKING LOACH

[Starry^]

I know a similar post was made a while ago, but I couldnt find it now - so Thought id just post a new topic, our loach (chinese algae eater) keeps going after our gourami, he doesnt seem all that bothered about any of the other fish, unless they are in his cave and he will scare them out - but whenever our gourami comes close he will chase her all around the tank, he makes a huge effort to try and latch on to her or bite her or whatever hes trying to do - he ripped her tail yesterday
has anyone else had a problem like this with any of their loaches.. I just dont get it, but if he ends up ripping her tail we are gun ahave to move one of them soon probably... out of all the fish in the tank.. they are the 2 bosses.. do you think perhaps hes trying 2 steal the whole boss title for himself?
any help/info would be appreciated.



Starry^

 

[leroy]

He might be feeling theatened by the gourami and he's just making sure he knows who's boss. B)

 

[bigfish]

I had 2 chinese algae eaters in my goldfish tank and they were fine when i bought them then when they grew up they became very agressive and started to attack and torment my fish, eventually i had to remove them to temporay accomendation but before i could get them to the pet to trade it in it died on me!!!! must of known i was taking him back.

I would advise you to take him back to shop but he kills. My goldie died from being tormented and his skin slime coat sucked off. RIP Tipsy

 

[-=DG=-]

Yeah the loach will need his own territory. Mine was also aggressive like that, but he's calmed down in his old age (he's about 7 years old!)

 

[Jamnog]

i htink the colour of the gourami is making the loach want to latch on perhaps

 

[Graeme]

I must admit the Sucking Loach is one Loach i will not keep! It can be and most often is a pain to look after.

I must congratulate DG for keeping his for 7years.







Graeme.

 

[-=DG=-]

I must admit the Sucking Loach is one Loach i will not keep! It can be and most often is a pain to look after.

I must congratulate DG for keeping his for 7years.







Graeme.

Cheers Graeme. This is one mean loach and when he was in my community tank he was a right pain at times. But with the malawi he's fine even though he attacks my aratus (who desrves it sometimes but leaves it alone after a while)

Definately one of my favorites in the tank

 

[Starry^]

I really had no idea that he could get aggressive like that.
he does have his own territory as he has taken up residence under the log in the tank - the only thing I can think of to do at the mo - is try getting him some algae wafers and feeding him a bit more so that he doesnt feel the need to come out all the time and suck his way over everything, he is out practially all day and all night till the lights go out, i thought they were meant to be nocturnal!
Graeme as the Loach king what do u think? we have a 10gall that we could put him into but its just got sand at the bottom and is only newly established so wont have much algae growth, AND it dosnt have his lil hidey hole log he is my fav lil lad I would feel so bad.



Starry^