Loaches Online Forum

i was wondering as to what would happen if the loaches lived in a no-substrate tank? coz i am having some difficulty looking for fine grade sand here, most of what ive seen could be described as small pebbles/rocks rather than sand, which i worry might damage the barbels?

Put loaches in a tank with substrate of some kind. Bare glass is pointless and cruel, IMO. Or go for different fish, not loaches.

Try looking for "pool filter sand." It's rounded, but not so small that it flies up into the water column every time a loach flicks it. It is also ususally inexpensive. Rinse it well, add it to the tank, add some water (not all at once) and let it settle. I gravel vac over the top of it to remove whatever sediment settles out, then add the rest of the water, and vac the surface again. It will go up a vac so don't poke it into the surface.

It is light colored, so you may want a floating plant or two. Wisteria was enjoyed by my loaches. They'd swim up into it and barbel all the roots...

Where is here, libingboy?

Is it next to "there"?

Interestingly an article titled "How to make your fish's brain bigger" turned up on PFK today.
Looks like there is a good reason for keeping a nice natural substrate in your tank.

I agree. A inquisitive fish is a healthy fish!