Loaches Online Forum

I just bought the last M. triangularis at my favorite lfs. I have wanted this species for years and even though I have seen them fairly often, didn't have the room. I even turned down some tank bred fish for that same reason.
However,now I think I can handle one . Can anyone who has or has had them give he some info on their general temperment and behaviour?
They sure are gorgeous fish.

Any chance of a picture please.

Here you go,
http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/me ... laris.html

That is absolutely lovely, no wonder you are pleased I am a novice with all this but is it the type you would have in a river tank set up. Sorry if that is a stupid question but I am learning every day.

Nnnice fish

such a lovely fish, Jim. Hope someone knows something about them.

Well, I know enough to know that they are from streams in India and are a bit on the fiesty side, but its always good to have info from those who have kept them.

Jim,

From what I have heard, they are very territorial. I think we tend to get away without any problems at the shop, as we keep them in such a quantity (50+ specimens in the stock tanks).

Did you see this recent thread on petfrd? http://www.petfrd.com/forum/showthread. ... ge=1&pp=15 Mention is made of their aggressiveness there.

Having acquired four of the similar species M. guentheri not so long ago, I can (sadly) confirm that these chaps were highly aggressive, and despite being in a fairly large tank, they fought so much and gradually picked each other off one by one overnight. I think the trick is to either keep one, or lots.

Here's some photos of the M. triangularis at the shop:











Despite their cuteness factor, I would advise caution with these!

Emma

Thanks, Emma. I just got the one fish, so I should be okay.
Nice variety of patterns on the fish at your shop.

I was the one who started the post in petfrd. It was unfortunate that the whole batch in the shop was down with some gill infection. The ones I got weren't spared either.
How I wish they're still around in my tank

Personally, I feel that getting one usually will not bring out its true character. A lone loach tends to be subdued.

Congrats Jim.

avant-I have read that this loach is one that can be kept alone. Besides, the store just had the one left. I tend to buy loaches in groups of three, but wouldn't have had room for three of these guys.

Graeme-Thanks! I was thinking you had some of these guys. Maybe its Mark.

Indeed i do have. These guys like to have the full run of the aquarium. Never happy in a certain place i've found. One of mine actually "bullied" another into starvation with constant harassment. I would say my oldest ones are 4 yrs old now and still "feisty" as ever.

Graeme.

Jim... no arguments on that haa... keep us updated on it!