Loaches Online Forum

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, as I have never owned loaches, however I'm now looking into getting some as I have a snail problem in my tank. Plus I've heard how active they are, and am intrigued!

I have a 60g tank (4 feet long) stocked with:
1 red tail black shark
2 corys
1 bristle nose pleco
and a ton of snails that came in on a plant

It's been set up for 3 years.

I have plenty of room, however I think I'd like some smaller loaches, so I could have more of them to watch their interactions.

So my question is what type of loaches can I get that eat snails, are of the smaller variety, would work well in a 60g with the fish I have? (the RTBS keeps to himself) Also, how many would you recommend I get for my tank?

Thanks in advance!
-Chloé
(Canada)

Probably the Zebra Loach, Botia striata. Small enough that you can get half a dozen, and still add more fish to fill out the tank, but big enough to eat snails.

I agree with Diana, striatas are very nice & smallish. Others to consider are y. sidthimunki & maybe b. kubotai. More cories would be nice...except we had trouble with red tail & rainbow sharks slamming them into the ground. We never tried "sharks" with smallish loaches...probably ok with enough territory rock & wood hiding spots. Is your sharkie full grown (5+ inches)...thats when trouble started for us.