Loaches Online Forum

I'm after a bit of natural pest snail control.

I've tried feeding less fishfood but they're still breeding like mad and their trying to munch on my crypts.

I have a 125 l. (33 US gal.), heavily planted with crypts, ferns and anubias. It is home to 18 pentazona barbs, nothing else.

My question. How many Botia striata would you recommend stocking? I understand they prefer to be in groups.

Water is pH 6.8, KH 7, GH 13, NO3 <20ppm, temp. 26C.

Thanks in advance.

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

Just found the answers I need. Five should do nicely.

Good to see members not just looking around the forum section.

That's what LOL's there for
The Q's been asked at PFK too. Good when people do research before buying the fish.

Martin.

welcome to LOL, gf225

botia striata are lovely fish, but please consider carefully if you would really like them or whether you just want to get rid of snails. striata are worth so much more than just this.

have you tried catching out the snails? i'd try putting meaty food in the tank at lights out, but others i think have had success with other sinking foods. the snails should be attracted to the food, and you can scoop them out with a net. you could also try putting food in a small bottle with small holes cut in it, so the snails can get at the food. sink the bottle, and then you can pck it out, hopefully with lots of snails in, a bit later. you will need to try this several times to reduce the numbers of snails, as there will be lots of hidden snails in the tank, and plenty of snail eggs.

not every loach likes snails either. my striata cant be bothered with them, and only 1 of my yoyos seems to like them. fish are very fussy, i reckon. some people have loaches that cant get enough snails. maybe you will be lucky.

good luck with getting rid of them

Thanks all.

I love striata, always have. The fact they may eat snails is a welcome "side effect" and just the added bonus I needed to go ahead with my decision to purchase them. Apologies that my OP probably came across as me wanting the fish solely as snail control.

I've tried many other methods at reducing my pest snail population. I appreciate the advice, of course.

As for purchasing the fish, I am lucky, as my LFS is Maidenhead Aquatics in Crowland, Peterborough, UK. Steve is a great guy. I've not had the pleasure of meeting Emma.

Cheers.

thats great to hear, gf225 dont worry, your post wasnt implying that you only want striata for the snails, but so many people have that attitude, which is sad. these fish seem to be quite misunderstood.

you are spoilt if you live near Emma and Steve's shop. Emma is great too. how long will it be before you get tempted by all those other loaches they have in stock? and all the other fish that are suitable for housing with the loaches.....

where abouts do you live?

Hi George. You should meet up with us on the 11th. Me, Mark, Emma, Steve, Helen, Les, Susan will be there from 10am ish.

He's in Spalding Hels.

Martin.

helen nightingale wrote:....how long will it be before you get tempted by all those other loaches they have in stock? and all the other fish that are suitable for housing with the loaches.....

where abouts do you live?

Ha, ha. There's certainly some wonderful fish in the store. I remembered when it first opened and it's really has gone from strength to strength. It's the only store I use for fish now. I'm particularly fond of the excellent selection of softwater fish and those tiny species available for the nano aquarium, such as Microrasbora.

Unfortunately I don't have as many tanks as I would like, due to my hectic lifestyle. I have just the one 125 l. tank now.

I live in a village called Barnack, just outside Stamford, Lincs. Not Spalding...

Graeme Robson wrote:Hi George. You should meet up with us on the 11th. Me, Mark, Emma, Steve, Helen, Les, Susan will be there from 10am ish.

Thanks for the invite, Graeme.

The human brain is weird (or mine is anyway). I read "Stamford" over on PFK and my brain converted it to Spalding by the time I got back here. Must be the fen mists or something

Martin.

Yes George, you're most welcome to join us. The usual time is around 10am. Thanks for your wonderful comments about the store.

Emma

the fen mist, or is the slight smell of cabbage, Martin?

George, i know what you mean about the microrasboras. i think i know what i want to get, until i go to the shop again and see another really nice species. it would be good to meet you