I have one kuhli loach and 2 weather loaches in my 30 gallon aquarium. No other fish. I've had them for over a year, but I still question if I do everything alright!! I keep the water temp between 80-82 degrees to accomodate both species since I read one likes it cooler and the others warmer. Is that a good temp?
Also, I seem to overfeed all the time since there is always lots of gunk between the soft rocks every time I clean. I clean and change water every week using bottled spring water because our well-water is very acidic and salty.
I have no clue how much to feed 3 loaches? They seem to like flakes and defrosted bloodworms. How much is a good quantity for each feeding?
The one kuhli loach is ALWAYS hiding - is he lonely?
I grew so fond of those little ones - and am trying hard to do everything right. Hope you can help me with some suggestions.
Thank You.
Question on food and water temperature
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Loaches are social fish and do much better with a group of at least 5 of their own species. This is highly likely a big part of the reason the Kuhlie Loach is hiding.
Weather Loaches are cool water fish. This means their maximum temperature is in the low 70s, and upper 60s works well for them. They get too big for most 30 gallon tanks.
Kuhlie Loaches are tropical fish, and prefer much warmer water.
These 2 species are not really compatible.
They both do like sand substrate, though they will burrow into gravel. Sand would make cleaning the tank easier because most of the debris stays on top. They may use caves of rock or driftwood.
They eat all sorts of foods, so offer them as assorted a diet as you can, including snails, vegetables and other foods.
"Flake" is a method of preparing food, it does not say what is in that food. If you are feeding a good quality flake this is good. Read the label. You are looking for whole fish and shellfish, algae and other good ingredients.
Wheat, grains, and fish meal are not good.
With well water like you are describing using bottled water is probably a good idea. Loaches do not tolerate salt very well at all.
Are you getting something like reverse osmosis water from a grocery or fish store? Or are you using water that is bottled for drinking, like Spring Water or similar product?
Weather Loaches are cool water fish. This means their maximum temperature is in the low 70s, and upper 60s works well for them. They get too big for most 30 gallon tanks.
Kuhlie Loaches are tropical fish, and prefer much warmer water.
These 2 species are not really compatible.
They both do like sand substrate, though they will burrow into gravel. Sand would make cleaning the tank easier because most of the debris stays on top. They may use caves of rock or driftwood.
They eat all sorts of foods, so offer them as assorted a diet as you can, including snails, vegetables and other foods.
"Flake" is a method of preparing food, it does not say what is in that food. If you are feeding a good quality flake this is good. Read the label. You are looking for whole fish and shellfish, algae and other good ingredients.
Wheat, grains, and fish meal are not good.
With well water like you are describing using bottled water is probably a good idea. Loaches do not tolerate salt very well at all.
Are you getting something like reverse osmosis water from a grocery or fish store? Or are you using water that is bottled for drinking, like Spring Water or similar product?
38 tanks, 2 ponds over 4000 liters of water to keep clean and fresh.
Happy fish keeping!
Happy fish keeping!
the loaches were sort of a "rescue" from our Walmart .... long story.
They were in same tank at the store; it was only after reading more about them (after the rescue) that I found out about temp. differences in species. They lived in that temperature over a year now -- some websites suggested they do adapt?!?!
I always avoid looking at the aquarium section at our Walmart since it is so sad. We live in small town - no petstores. The next larger city with a petstore is about 45 miles (long way to transport fish/loach). But I'll see what I can do to add more friends for them.
I have small smooth pebbles in aquarium, but I'll check for sand. Caves, etc already in there.
I feed mainly goldfish flakes. When feeding the frozen bloodworms - how many should I feed for 3 loaches??
The bottled springwater I use for weekly waterchange is the Walmart brand.
They were in same tank at the store; it was only after reading more about them (after the rescue) that I found out about temp. differences in species. They lived in that temperature over a year now -- some websites suggested they do adapt?!?!
I always avoid looking at the aquarium section at our Walmart since it is so sad. We live in small town - no petstores. The next larger city with a petstore is about 45 miles (long way to transport fish/loach). But I'll see what I can do to add more friends for them.
I have small smooth pebbles in aquarium, but I'll check for sand. Caves, etc already in there.
I feed mainly goldfish flakes. When feeding the frozen bloodworms - how many should I feed for 3 loaches??
The bottled springwater I use for weekly waterchange is the Walmart brand.
How much food depends on the size of the Loaches.
My Weather Loaches at 1 year are 6"+ long, and I would feed 2 of them a pinch that stays in my fingers, shake off the excess.
Mine are in a 4' long tank, and have more tank mates, though, and I feed more than that.
I do not care what the front of the label says. Read the ingredients to choose the proper food. Have a look at a New Life Spectrum product, or Omega One to see what good food should be.
Omega One has several labels, but it is all the same ingredients. I buy whichever Omega One product is on sale, it does not matter what it is called.
Spectrum products are similar. I buy and feed the proper pellet size for my fish, and never mind if it is Cichlid Pellets or whatever.
The problem with bottled water is that the ingredients can change, and people might not notice, but it might make a difference to the fish.
My Weather Loaches at 1 year are 6"+ long, and I would feed 2 of them a pinch that stays in my fingers, shake off the excess.
Mine are in a 4' long tank, and have more tank mates, though, and I feed more than that.
I do not care what the front of the label says. Read the ingredients to choose the proper food. Have a look at a New Life Spectrum product, or Omega One to see what good food should be.
Omega One has several labels, but it is all the same ingredients. I buy whichever Omega One product is on sale, it does not matter what it is called.
Spectrum products are similar. I buy and feed the proper pellet size for my fish, and never mind if it is Cichlid Pellets or whatever.
The problem with bottled water is that the ingredients can change, and people might not notice, but it might make a difference to the fish.
38 tanks, 2 ponds over 4000 liters of water to keep clean and fresh.
Happy fish keeping!
Happy fish keeping!
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