Dwarf Botia

waterfaller1 · Post by **waterfaller1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:35 am

Hello.

Can you tell me what these fish are like? Can I keep them in a 20L?

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:47 am

Sids? Yes, you can. They are very social fish, so get several. I have them with several small fish (Checker barbs, Danios) and they are thriving, growing fast. Mine started out almost as thin as a pencil lead, and they are about half or 2/3 grown, now. They are good at hiding, but come out for food. They seem to enjoy the live plants, zipping around and through them.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ya ... idthimunki

waterfaller1 · Post by **waterfaller1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:55 am

Cool, thanks for your reply. I will have to set this tank up, so are they sensitive to new environments? Should I cycle the tank, get some other hardy fish after that, then put the Botia in? And how much time is enough until the tank is considered mature enough? Are they aggressive at all? Can they be mixed with other bottom dwellers like Batik loaches, or are they best as the only one?

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:02 am

I would set them up in an established tank. Several months old after cycling at least.
Google fishless cycle to find out how to cycle a tank without harming the fish.
If you already have a tank going you can take a small amount of filter media or gravel from the established tank to jump start the cycle in a new set up.

Another way is to split the population of an existing tank, and move the filter to the new tank. The old tank has half the fish, all the old gravel, decor... and a new filter. The new tank has all new decor, half the fish, and the filter. This is approximately half the bacteria. Live plants in both tanks help to even out any discrepancies between the bacteria population and the fish population. Then build up the population in both tanks slowly to allow the bacteria to grow to match the fish additions.

wasserscheu · Post by **wasserscheu** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:08 am

Possible misunderstanding? Sid´s in 20 litres? Hmmm , sooner or later that may spoil your enjoyment, and they may try leaving such a small tank, I´m afraid approx 2 foot length is min. for those lively loaches.

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:09 am

Is your tank size correct in your first post?

20litres is around 4 gallon and that is way to small really for any loaches let alone Sid's

Idealy Sid's need at least 20 gallon because they are a very active fish and they do need to be in groups of 6 or more to see them at their best.

waterfaller1 · Post by **waterfaller1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:11 am

Thanks again. I have only one tiny fish in my other tank and shrimp in the other. I do have some friends with large tanks though, so I may look to get some media from them. I will definately not cycle the tank with fish. I work in a sw store part time, where we do not advocate cycling with fish. We don't even sell damsels, sadly..commonly used for this task.

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:16 am

Very sorry- I read that as 20 gallon, long tank.
American gallons. This tank would be 30" long, 12" wide, 12" deep.

If this is a 20 liter tank, then no, sids would not really be happy in such a small tank.

waterfaller1 · Post by **waterfaller1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:01 am

No no, 20 long 30" X 12" X12". 20 gallons U.S. Guess I had better update my profile..

wasserscheu · Post by **wasserscheu** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:31 am

Sorry, just trying to make sure

waterfaller1 · Post by **waterfaller1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:20 am

No problem, I appreciate your concern. I guess the conversion is 75.8 litres.. ?:)

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