newbie with a new tank

[danch]

Just about to set up a 26 gallon tank this weekend. I'm thinking it'll probably be after the new year before it's ready for fish. I'd like to keep a small school (~5) of small loaches in it, along with some complimentary mid to top water fish, and a few easy/low-med light plants.

I'm thinking of kuhli, YoYo, or Sidthimunki for the loaches. Which of these would be good for a new fishkeeper. The Sid's are endangered (aren't they?), which gives me second thoughts about the ethics of buying them as an ornamental. Any other loach suggestions for a smaller tank?

I'm also thinking of a couple of Gouramis or Platy's for the mid to top of the tank. How do these get along with our little loachy friends? Any other suggestions?

Finally, who to introduce first? Assuming that the secondary fish isn't a real social species, I'd rather introduce it first, to ramp up the bioload more gradually, but how would that go with dropping 5 or 6 loaches in later?

thanks all,
danch

[Graeme Robson]

Kuhli's (Pangio's) and Y Sidthimunki should be fine. Y Sidthimunki is now farm bred in Asia, so no need to feel guilty in ownership of these, however the Y Sidthimunki requires a tank environment with a faster current for them to thrive. If you can supply this, then all the better.

Rasbora's or Danio's or Dwarf Gourami's would be a nice addition for the upper levels. This keeps it a Asian theme.

Wait until your tank is fully mature, then introduce the Loaches.

[angelfish83]

I disagree on the dwarf gourami. They require a very slow to no current whereas the loaches will require a faster current.

26 Gallons is a good size for a school of kuhli loaches IMO thats your best choice.

Have you got sand?

You'll want a fair bit of current for loaches, like powerheads and the whole bit. You'll want fish that can handle a fair bit of current such as some of the more heavily bodied barbs. Some of the rasbora species as well as mentioned would work well.

Keep in mind putting loaches in a tank, except kuhlis which can handle a slower current (This is another option ill get to that in a sec) forces you to de-consider certain slow water fish due to loaches need for high current and oxygen.

Now, another thing you can do, is put a powerhead (thats a little submersible pump that shoots water out in a jet like fashion) on the bottm of your tank and shoot it along the floor of the tank to provide more current to your loaches, while the top of the tank is still relatively mellow. You'll still want a reasonable amount of surface agitation, but if you like slower fish, this will allow you to consider them.

[danch]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Just going to pick up equipment today or tomorrow (maybe). I'm planning on a fine gravel/sand substrate - that should be good for any loach (right?), and I've read that the kuhli's dig themselves in.

A Powerhead will be no problem, and I've got no problem limiting myself to fishes that enjoy a bit of current. Don't know if I'm ready for a full hill stream type tank, but within reason...

How much flow should I aim for, in terms of hourly turnover?

thanks again,
danch

[mikev]

Kuhlis are better off with sand. They will be fine with current as long as there are some quiet areas.

Another option you may consider is going brookstream. Brookstream loaches are typically smaller (so you can have more) and you can find nice dither among the species that prefer slightly colder water.

[danch]

Well, I have a tank, with water in it. And a dead shrimp to start a fishless cycle.

I wound up with a 29G, rather than the 26 bowfront I'd been planning. It fits and the floors holding it.

I also wound up with a fine gravel (particles under 3mm) substrate rather than the sand I'd been planning. I think that leaves kuhli's out of the equation, but I find them a little too 'eelly' anyway.

Right now the only flow in the tank is from the HOB powerfilter (about 140GPH), so I'm thinking I'll put a small powerhead in to get some better current.

I'm thinking either harlequin rasboras or zebra danios for the first fish into here, in a few weeks. I'm leaning toward the rasboras on looks ATM. Loaches won't come for quite some time - let the system (and the keeper ) settle down for a while.

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

-Dan