Can different species of loaches make up for not having more

[raecarrow]

I currently have

1 Yoyo Loach
1 Zebra Loach
1 Black Kuhli Loach

The Zebra and Yoyo seem to enjoy each other's company and they play with each other. The Black Kuhli on the other hand likes to hide.

I have heard from different sources that I need more then one of each loach type. But, does having different species of loach make up for not having more of one of each species? The reason I am concerned is that I only have a 10 gallon and a 5.5 hospital tank right now. I will be getting a larger tank in a month or so. I just want to know. What would be the ideal minium of each species. I want to add guppies into the tank as well.

I am in the process of getting a hold of a 30 gallon long tank. I eventually want to get a custom tank that is 100 gallons or more, but that is not until I buy a house

[Diana]

Having different species of Loaches does not work as well. Many times they will get along OK, or at least not fight, but the social benefits of having several of a single species is very important, and only works within each species.

For Yoyos I would look for a tank about 4' long. For Kuhlies or Zebras a smaller tank will work, they are smaller fish.

Mixing species will work pretty well with some fish, such as Corydoras. There are many species of Cories, and in general they will get along with each other, and play together, though not as well as when they are all the same species.

[Ursus sapien]

I agree, have multiples of each species is best. If you have to mix, have loaches similar to each other - ex different Pangios, banded and unbanded - in behviour and preferences. Add plants and lots of nooks and caves, and you'll have very bold, entertaining and healthy loaches.
I have 10 Pangio oblonga (aka black or java kuhli loach) that are active and in the open during the day as well as at night. They are not the least bit shy and will come checkout what my fingers are doing when I have to go into the tank.
Diana is also correct about the corydoras. My Pangios interact, in what appears to be a playful way, with my herd of mixed corydoras. Both are very social, friendly fish and mix well.

[raecarrow]

Thanks for all the help so far. I just have a few more questions.

1) What is the smallest ideal group size for Black Kuhlis, Yoyos and Zebras?
2) What would be the ideal tank size to house all these loaches? (Plus 7-8 guppies and 3 Dwarf Otos (dwarf suckers)) Don't worry I have other tanks to house the offspring of my guppies. I just want to have my best looking guppies in a large-ish show tank with other fish in my living room.
3) Is it alright to move a group of loaches to a tank for a month or so to clear up a snail infestation? Provided that the tank is large enough for them and they won't overcrowd the tank of course.
4) What are other fish that would be good to house with guppies and loaches?

[Ashleigh]

1) What is the smallest ideal group size for Black Kuhlis, Yoyos and Zebras?

5 would be the bare minimum that I would consider, the more the better-you really get to see the social interactions within each species

2) What would be the ideal tank size to house all these loaches? (Plus 7-8 guppies and 3 Dwarf Otos (dwarf suckers)) Don't worry I have other tanks to house the offspring of my guppies. I just want to have my best looking guppies in a large-ish show tank with other fish in my living room.

If possible, I would remove your Pangios (coolie loach) to a tank that does not contain the B.almorhae or the B.striata (yoyo/zebra) as they can be a little excitable, and they prefer a decent water flow, unlike the Pangio sp that prefers slow moving water. In saying this I think that they would be the ones that would do best in with your guppies and the otos due to water movement preferences, although I have otos in with B.striata and they are doing wonderfully

For the Pangios and guppies, I would go no smaller than a 3ft, possibly a 2.5ft, for the B.striata and the B.almorhae being kept in groups in the same tank, no smaller than a standard 4ft, but if you have a larger foot-print 4ft, that would be even better.

3) Is it alright to move a group of loaches to a tank for a month or so to clear up a snail infestation? Provided that the tank is large enough for them and they won't overcrowd the tank of course.

That is possible, but you are imposing unnecessary stress on the fish unless you move it long term. Another option is to chuck a bit of cucumber or some type of veg and wait for the snails to start munching, remove and put them into the tank with loaches. That way you have a steady continuous supply os snails that your loaches will fully appreciate

4) What are other fish that would be good to house with guppies and loaches?

As above, I think your guppies and Pangios are in best together, I have some Puntius pentazona in with my lot, they are quite shy though and take a while to become more confident but they are very pretty fish in a large shoal

http://fish.mongabay.com/species/Puntiu ... azona.html


For the B.striata and B.almorhae have a look at some of the med bard species, and also rainbows, again the larger species. I have a wonderful little barb I just bought the other day, Il hunt down the name and post that up for you, but yea any med barbs/rainbows are great dithers


Ashleigh