Loaches Online Forum

I have a question for those of you who have been keeping these for awhile.
I know they burrow under rockwork, but do they burrow in open areas of gravel substrate?
I was thinking of this after I started vacuming the gravel in their tank and saw two suddenly appear. I accidentally killed a schistura while cleaning the gravel a few years ago, and don't want the same to happen to these fish.

Mine did get into substrate when ever a stone or similar, made it motivating for them to build a cave. They do get into incredible small cracks.
I remember two of them being individually burried in sand/gravel - only their heads sticking out, about 1/2" apart of each other. That was in open sand/gravel w/out anything around, about 2-3" away from the glass, in a rear corner.

I did not observe them to hide longer time completely in the sand, like S. beavany does (only eyes sticking out). But they might have, I just did not see it.

I miss those, they are awsome buddies.

I only ever found mine dug out under rocks. Basically the rock forms a solid roof to their hidey-hole.

Martin.

I have seen them come out from under rocks when the food goes in, but wondered about the substrate. I guess I should still be careful when I vacume the gravel, just in case.