Sucking Loaches - Feeding And Disappearing

[funkiichiicka]

Hi.

I have two 'queries' really. To do with my two sucking loaches.

--

I've had them for 3 days and I do not know how to feed these things.

I feed my fish flakes and my other fishies swim up the top or whatever when I put them in, but my loaches disappear when I'm near the tank and they don't come to get food.

I've noticed that they do sometimes like to chill in this little cave thing we have, so I tried putting a bit of food in the net and tried to make the food 'flow' into the cave, but heaven knows if they are eating it.

Isn't there an easier way? Maybe flakes isn't the best option for these loaches?

--

Also, I hardly see them. I see them on occasions either sitting at the bottom or flat out on the glass of the tank or crawling over the plants, but they aren't as active as my other fish, I guess.

This morning, I spent an hour looking for them. I moved the filter, jiggled the ornaments a bit, gently swished the plants hoping they would run out, but nothing. So, I gave up looking, and then half hour later I look over to the tank and there they are climbing over the plants.

Am I doing something wrong? Are they meant to be more active?

They are just very confusing

I would really appreciate the help. Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

They may just need longer to settle in, but do be aware that some fish just are shy and you might never see them that often. I wouldn't spend too much time moving the tank about to make them come out; you'll just upset them and make them want to hide more.

The best food for them would be some sinking catfish pellets; they should be easy to get in yout LFS

 

[mikev]

Just what are the so called "sucking loaches"? CAE's? Hillstreams? If latter, which ones? Or something else altogether?

(In all cases, the prudent way is to wait them out and do not disturb them by rearranging the tank, but with hillstreams, you may have to induce them to eat with better food...depends on which species you got.)

 

[funkiichiicka]

They may just need longer to settle in, but do be aware that some fish just are shy and you might never see them that often. I wouldn't spend too much time moving the tank about to make them come out; you'll just upset them and make them want to hide more.

The best food for them would be some sinking catfish pellets; they should be easy to get in yout LFS

Thank you. I will enquire about appropriate food at the fish store.

Just what are the so called "sucking loaches"? CAE's? Hillstreams? If latter, which ones? Or something else altogether?

(In all cases, the prudent way is to wait them out and do not disturb them by rearranging the tank, but with hillstreams, you may have to induce them to eat with better food...depends on which species you got.)

They were sold to us as 'sucking loaches'... I googled Chinese Algae Eaters and that's what they look like. The definitely do not look like Hillstreams.

 

[mikev]

As the name implies, younger fish will settle better in a tank which has algae. Algae wafers should be offered, and instead of checking the fish, check that the wafers are eaten overnight. Frozen bloodworms can be tried too (they are not strictly vegetarian).

Beware that when they grow they lose interest in algae and tend to become dangerous to other fish...

 

[funkiichiicka]

As the name implies, younger fish will settle better in a tank which has algae. Algae wafers should be offered, and instead of checking the fish, check that the wafers are eaten overnight. Frozen bloodworms can be tried too (they are not strictly vegetarian).

Beware that when they grow they lose interest in algae and tend to become dangerous to other fish...

I have frozen bloodworms. That's another question: how much of a block do I feed to the fish?

And yes, I became aware of that after googling. Wasn't told in the store but whatever.