loach suggestions for a 55 gal. (US) tank

[tfmaxman]

First, what a great site. Kudos to all those voices who are responsible for making this place fantastic.

Second, I have a 55 gal. tank I keep in my office at work. It used to have one tiger oscar (may he rest in peace) until the power went off over the holiday break (I work in a school). The oscar was great but a bit moody, when he was feeling well and interactive, people loved to stop by to visit.

I love the clown loach tank at my LFS. They're active and really fun to watch. After reading your great articles, here's my situation:

The tank is 55 gals (approx. 4ft X 1ft x 2 ft). I have one HOB (Biowheel 350) filter which used to be ok for the one oscar and a 40% weekly water change. The filter's fine and the levels are good, so I know the filter wasn't harmed by the power outage.

I know I'll need more filtration and water flow for loaches according to your articles. I love my Rena XP3 that I've got on my 90 gal. tank at home. So I'll probably get one of those to add to the tank, plus maybe a jet.

So my question is about the stocking scheme - I love the idea of a school of loaches and realize that 5 clowns (your minimum suggested number) would probably not work for my tank size (or would it, if that's all the fish I had?). What do you think would look good? I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, including other fish you might think would be good with a smaller loach school.

thanks,

todd

[bslindgren]

Clowns have the potential of reaching 12 inches, but would be guaranteed to be stunted in a 55 gal. So unless you know that you'll be able to upgrade to a 6 foot tank within the next year or two, I would not get clowns, as wonderful as these fish are. I would try to get 5-10 B. striata, B. kubotai or similar, or if you can find them Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki . Check the species index before buying. I have striata and kubotai and love them.

[Keith Wolcott]

I also have striata and kubotai and think that they would be a good choice for that sized tank. They are curious and interesting fish to watch.

[soul-hugger]

Sorry to hear about your oscar. I have never kept them, but I know they can live a long time and that people can get pretty attached to them.

I also have a 55 gallon tank, and when I bought it, I thought it was HUGE! But I guess it is not, really. So many people on this site and others have tanks much larger than this. I am also interested in clown loaches, but will have to forego them until I get a bigger tank. If you don't have your 90 Gallon fully stocked, perhaps you could have some in there if they will be compatible with your other fish.

Have you ever looked into Weather Loaches? I know they are not the most colourful of fish, but they have tons of personality. They are curious and intelligent, and can form a bond with people. They also can handle cooler water temperatures, and even prefer them. Some people keep them with goldfish, although I have read that goldfish secrete a substance that can be harmful to loaches. There is a golden variety and the regular brown speckled. I have also seen a white variety with black spots, though this one is more rare. I have 2 children, a 10 year old, and a 3 year old, and both their favourite fish are the weather loaches.

Good luck with your stocking!
Happy New Year
soul-hugger

[Joe Khul]

or if you can find them Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki . Check the species index before buying. I have striata and kubotai and love them.

I can say that the sids area great addition to a 55 gallon tank. If you can get your hands on at least 12 of them they are very social, dont get huge, have the potential of being great tank cleaners (debris), and they dont hide like some loaches. I currently have a dozen in my tank and I see up to nine of them at any given time (normally at least 3 are behind my mopani wood). The cost around here is a bit high, but they are entirely worth the money

Welcome to Loaches online and Happy New Year

[Diana]

Can you be sure the power will not go out again? Can you be there even through the holidays to check on them?

If there is the possibility that the water will get cold then try the Weather Loaches (AKA Dojo Loaches) but best is to be sure this does not happen.

Weather Loaches are fine in a 55, cooler water fish. You could add a school of Rosy Barbs, too. They thrive in the same water as these Loaches, and would add some activity to the tank when the Loaches are hiding.

I would set up the style of air pump that works off 110v most of the time but automatically switches over to battery power when the power cuts out.
This way even if the filter quits there is some water movement. Not much, but it could buy some time until you find that there was a problem.

[tfmaxman]

After looking at some information and some great videos on youtube, I think I might go for some Weather (Dojo) Loaches for the tank. They look like they really have some character.

My question would be: how many would be ok for my 55 gal. tank? I'd only stock some "dither fish" for some color and movement (something like the rosy barbs someone suggested) in addition to the Weathers. Would a group of 5 (this seems to be this site's recommended number for most loaches) be ok?

thanks again for all the suggestions...

oh, btw... the power going out isn't really a problem. It was kind of a freak accident where a pipe burst in the school. The resulting flooding prompted them to turn off the power for sometime (the weather in Chicago was really cold then). I'm usually around (or someone from my office) to check in on things. I was only gone for like 4 days. Oh well...

[Diana]

You probably could put 5 of them in a 55, but you are right that would about half-fill the tank.

Half a dozen Rosy Barbs or similar schooling fish, perhaps a Bristlenose Pleco in case of algae and the tank is full.