To Loach, Or Not To Loach?

[Alphie]

I have a 5 gallon tank that has been established for some time now. It has a couple of nice rocks with hiding places, small gravel, and live plants. While I am generally very happy with my tank, I was dismayed to find that my latest plant brought some unwelcome guests with it. Now I have a plethora of tiny snails.

I have a nice-sized, gentle, shy pleco already in the tank and plan to add a beta soon (my last beta, Alphie, died a short time ago at the age of 3 1/2).

I was told that a solution to this dilemma would be to add a loach. So, I am wondering, should I? Is this tank large enough for a loach? Will a loach get along with my pleco and the soon-to-be-added beta?

If not, do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[starsplitter7]

5 gallons is not large enough for any loach. Don't do it. Loaches grow large and need to be in groups of five or more for the common species. Only buy a fish for the love of the fish, not for what the fish can do for you.

Your snail population will not grow, if you do not overfeed the tank. To remove the snails put in a Lettuce leaf. When the snails gather on it, remove the snails from the leaf.

Chances are your pleco is too big for your tank. You may want to find a fishstore that will take it and get one large snail for algae control. Mystery snails need a friend for breeding. Make sure you feed your catfish. Lots of people think that the algae in the tank is enough and the fish starve to death.

[okdodd]

There are small loaches, but in my opinion loaches need big aquarium. They are better in groups and 5 gal is not enough for group of even smallest loaches.
There are many other ways to get rid of snails. Try the jar method. Put the cabbage or lettuce into a small jar. Place jar to the aquarium in the evenings or in the morning. The snails will be attracted to the lettuce and cabbage and will probably be on top or near the leaf. So you can remove the jar from the aquarium.