Loaches Online Forum

I have not been here on these forums in a while, but I believe the last time I was on here, I just had my blue-graveled aquarium with small amounts of aquatic plants.

Anyway, I have had a 12 gallon Aquapod for 4 months or so now, with lots of vegitation growing, mostly the anacharis growing like weeds. Then I have lots of dwarf sagittaria growing, and some hairgrass that is just now starting to grow well. The substraight is Eco-Complete Plant Substraight, made of a black sand with the occational pebbly gravel rocks.

I have gotten tired of boring guppies, and the corydoras are alright, but I really would like an eel like fish. I love the spiny eels, but they get too big, as well as the prehistoric Dragon gobies. So many I could get some sort of loach, since they are really elongated, and have fun little personalities.

I just come on here to ask for some advice on an interesting loach species. The only animals that would be with them are 3 corydoras, and a few snails. I was looking through the serpentine loaches, and of course, I probably find one that is not the right kind for me, or is impossible to get a hold of (Vaillantella maassi). . . and I know my carpeting plants would probably not be allowed in there. Maybe someone here may be able to help me find an interesting loach species, that looks similar to Vaillantella maassi, or something. If I need to change any aspects of the aquarium, I'll do so, especially if it involves the use of blackwater. I'm sure my corys would love it.

Any advice would be gratly appreciated!

A 12 gallon tank is right at the edge of being a bit small, but Kuhlie Loaches would work.
I would not suggest Vaillantella Maassi. They hide. The only time I have seen mine is when I moved the tank. (a 40 gallon tank, 3' long)

Dragon Gobies are not fresh water fish. Mine is almost a foot long (and still growing!), and is in brackish water. Too much salt for fresh water plants, though there is some interesting algae in there.

Alright, sounds good! How many kuhliis? I dod have the 3 other clown fish in there. Any other interesting fish that could go in there?

Thanks so much for the help! : )

Kuhlies, like most Loaches will be more active in groups of half a dozen or more. By the time you get that many in the tank there is not a lot of room for more fish. You could add perhaps a Honey Gourami, or perhaps a small school of the smallest Dwarf Rasboras. Half a dozen Bororas maculatus, B brigittae, or Celestial Pearl Danios or similar fish. Small is the operative word here, or you will be over loading the tank.