Loaches Online Forum

Help, I have a 55 gallon tank and three Discus and one Farlowella. I have an infestation of snails; I know that certain Loaches are great at removing them. I also understand they can be very assertive with "calm fish" such as my Discus and the Farlowella. I had Yo Yo Loachs and I loved them but they were in another tank. Any ideas on which type might be the best? From what I understand the Clown Loach is a little bit more aggressive. Thanks. Tim

I have Yoyos with my Discus and Farlowella. In a 72 gallon tank with a sump, so there is about 80 gallons of water in the system.

The Yoyos are not aggressive toward any of their current tank mates (Brochis splendens, Melanotaenia parkinsonii as well as the 4 Discus and a Farlowella)
When they were younger the Yoyos did eat several Neon Tetras, so I would make sure that any other fish in the Discus tank are larger. For example, no Rummy Nose or Cardinal Tetras.

Will give it a try. Can't remember; how big they get? Not as big as Clown Loaches? Tim

Yo-Yo loaches generally don't get any bigger than about 6". They don't get nearly as large as the Clowns.

If you are worried about the loaches getting too large, try a group of Striata Loaches.
They grow a bit larger than 3 inches and do a good job on snails.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-striata

can I purchase them? Tim

I dont think striatas are the best Loach for a Discus-tank.

If memory serves me correctly, discus are kept at high temp.
Around 30 degrees C right?

Striatas dont like anythink above 26.

Francois van Brederode wrote:I dont think striatas are the best Loach for a Discus-tank.

If memory serves me correctly, discus are kept at high temp.
Around 30 degrees C right?

Striatas dont like anythink above 26.

Discus prefer between 26C to 28C. Warm, my Farlowella likes it.

Like I said, 26 to 28 is on the hot side for Striatas.

B. Histrionica do nt get very large (13cm or so) and do like the higher temp.