Loach mistreatment

[Calliope]

Upon discovering this wonderful site I realise that not only have I been mistreating my poor Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) for over two years but I was mis-sold him in the first place.

Upon purchasing the Loach I was told that he was a Butterfly Plec and would be the perfect companion to my Fantail fancy goldfish in an 80ltr coldwater tank (he was in a large tank with many other loaches and fancy goldfish at the time). Having just gained internet access and able to investigate further it would appear that it is a miracle the loach has survived in it's current conditions although the tank has an oxegentating air stream, which the loach often basks in and several oxegentated plants.

What I would like some advice from is whether, having survived in this environment for over two years, I should now relocate the loach to a more suitable tank and provide him with a companion of his own species or whether i should leave him where he is but make changes to improove the environment for him, if so what changes are required. Incidentally he and the fantail are fine together and often feed and swim alongside each other. Is this relationship unheard of?

Many thanks for your help.

[bigpow]

goldfish and loach aren't always a bad mix, just like some keepers have goldfish to keep the water rich enough for algae to develop (for the loaches).

I think if it's been alive and well (fat/growing), then it's definitely working for your loach and I wouldn't stress too much about it.

[Diana]

I would be concerned about the tank size. 80 liters is barely big enough for a single goldfish. How many other plants are in here?

It is good that you have some areas of faster water movement (stream of bubbles) that the Loach has found. Most of the fatter bodied Golds are not good swimmers and cannot handle too much water movement.

Both Gold and Loach should enjoy fresh and lightly cooked vegetables. Good roughage for the Goldfish.