Loaches in groups

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san-ho-zay
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Loaches in groups

Post by san-ho-zay » Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:26 pm

Hi - great forum!

I'm planning on getting some loaches for my new tank once it's cycled and matured a little. I am thinking they will probably be Botia Striata or Botia Kubotai - or both, which leads me to my question:

The recommendation for several loach species is that they are best kept in groups of 5 or more. Does this mean 5 of each species or would a combination like 3 Striata and 3 Kubotai probably be happy as a group?

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Richard
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Vancmann
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Post by Vancmann » Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:43 pm

Hi Richard, welcome to LOL. I would definitely reccomend either 5 kubotias or 5 striadas and not a combination of 2 or 3 of each.
120 gallon planted aquaponic tank with 10 clown loachs, first one since 1994, 1 modesta and 3 striadas.
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clownloachfan
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Post by clownloachfan » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:36 pm

yes, get a good sized group of one species( 5 or more) then if you have space, the kubotai and the zebras would get along.
ImageImage
Clowns-6 is a group and more is never too many, providing the aquarium is large enough.
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Mark in Vancouver
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Post by Mark in Vancouver » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:46 pm

Hi Richard. Welcome to the forums.

I agree with the others here. If you have the space, aim for 5 or more of either of these species. Unless otherwise noted, this is a general rule for all loaches. You'll get a lot more out of them if they can travel in packs.

If you had a large tank situation, you could consider adding more of the Botia species in groups of 5+ as they do seem to get along - more or less. B. striata is a very peaceful species, and they're beautiful to watch, though you might not see as much activity midday as you would with B. kubotai.

You might want to add some other "dither" fish for a while before adding loaches - just to make sure your tank is fully matured. And we always recommend a period of quarantine for all loaches.
Your vantage point determines what you can see.
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Rocco
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Post by Rocco » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:51 pm

If you want loaches that are always up to something, my experience with Yoyo Loaches is that they are just like little inquisitive, hyperactive children.

More than 5 per species is the best.
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Blue
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Post by Blue » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:53 pm

What is the tank size anyway?:)
Passion for loaches + Passion for snails = Irony
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san-ho-zay
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Location: Bury, UK

Post by san-ho-zay » Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:42 pm

Thanks for all your clarification, much appreciated.

It's a Juwel Rio 300. Room for about 80" of fish at full size. So I'll probably have to restrict myself to half a dozen of one loach species :cry:.

The tank's not arrived yet - I'm just planning ahead. The loaches won't be seeing it until after it's cycled and some Danios and Barbs have confirmed it's OK.

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Richard
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