kuhlis with betta

[brett_fishman]

i have a single male betta in my 10g, i was going to get some cories but all the smaller species are really expensive - $6 each (yet the larger ones are cheaper), the LFS has 10 or so 2" long kuhli loaches in one tank, they are very active and look healthy, not overly thin.. plus they are cheaper than the cories

i was wondering how many, if any, i could keep in the 10g with a single betta? thanks

[Pilze]

there is an article over at Badman's that suggests 1 Betta and 3 or 4 kuhlis. Keep in mind the Kuhlis would greatly appreciate sand.

[brett_fishman]

thanks for the reply, i was thinking 3 or 4

the tank has medium sized round gravel, but i guess i can change it again - i changed to the round gravel from bright blue crush gravel about 4 years ago

whats recommended, pool filter sand? i'd love to have black sand, but can you find it for cheap?

[Pilze]

There is black flourite. It's not cheap, but for a 10g all you need is a small bag. I lurked for a few weeks before posting and I've read some users have no problem it.

I'd wait for a more experienced poster to recommend changing the gravel.

[brett_fishman]

i only have 10lbs of gravel in there, but i guess it'd be different for sand.. i've changed the gravel before with fish in the tank with very little or no mini-cycle

i took 1/3 of the old gravel out every week, so that the filter could grow the extra bacteria needed, then vaccumed the bottom, then put the new gravel in

flourite isnt really sand.. is it? i like the look of that 'black tahiti moon sand', but im pretty sure thats marine-only

EDIT: just checked on Drs. Foster & Smith, the black tahiti moon sand is fresh and salt water friendly - will not affect the water parameters.. LINK

[NancyD]

hey Brett, a 10 gal is a bit too small for kuhlis when they get bigger. I have 6 in a 20g long & it's none too big. The loaches swim very fast all along the glass. I left the water level down a few inches when I first got them, I worried they'd jump. You'd also need 5 or 6 minimum or you'll hardly ever see them. I have mine on pool sand but mine don't burrow like some people's do.

Do you have a tank they could move up to? (if you can catch them!)

[brett_fishman]

well i dont have them yet, nancy, i was just looking for an inexpensive alternative to cories

i only have the 10 and the 70, but the 70 is going to have gouramis and botia kubotai.. i dont really want kuhlis in there

i know they get around 4" long, but heard they need alot less open space than botia type loaches