View Full Version : Can a loach get stuck?
timeneverfreezes
11-17-2008, 7:22 PM
So,
My dad decided to help me out, he saw a loach wedged into a little crack in the bogwood and was convinced it was stuck so like any good father... he pulled up the bogwood and pulled the loach physically out :eek:
Can a loach even get stuck? no matter what i tell him he maintains his innocence! says it was def. stuck and wriggling like it would never see the light again!
Im happy to say the loach is still alive after this ordeal, i little scraped and scratched but otherwise acting normal!
Most loaches do get stuck around decors especially as they have the tendency to try small gaps in their attempts to hide away. Thank goodness, I don't get this problem anymore than I used to have considering I am choosy over decors and prefer smooth river rocks and large pieces of driftwoods with no small holes on them.
Yes, they are very curious and playful, which can result in them getting stuck. Just try your best to keep smooth edges and few holes that they can get stuck in.
timeneverfreezes
11-17-2008, 7:28 PM
oh man and i was so convinced they couldnt get stuck i actually feel bad for arguing w/ him about it, lesson learned, twice today, respect the elders!
You learn something new everyday.:)
I try and buy driftwood that doesn't have crevices like this. A loach will crawl into anything it can fit into.
JD_MAN
11-19-2008, 11:20 AM
I feel like a bad loach keeper after reading some of these things. I think I have been extremely lucky so far. Some of my loaches have small holes that they like to burrow in every night, but they always seem to be fine.
My biggest problem is keeping loaches out of my built in overflow. lol
timeneverfreezes
11-19-2008, 11:45 AM
Good Job Grasshopper.
Yes, master, the ways of the loach I will know...
I try and buy driftwood that doesn't have crevices like this. A loach will crawl into anything it can fit into.
Thats one reason I love them, looking into the driftwood to see three tails hanging out of some small crevice. Theyre in the top of my list of fish, really grew on me!
unannon
11-19-2008, 11:58 AM
They also have things called subocular spines by thier eyes, which I imagine if stressed (thats usually when the spines come out), could aid in them getting stuck further.
ewurm
11-20-2008, 12:08 AM
They also have things called subocular spines by thier eyes, which I imagine if stressed (thats usually when the spines come out), could aid in them getting stuck further.
Usually these are only deployed as defense, so I doubt that would contribute to the problem. The major problem that I can see is that a loach can easily swim into a crevice, but the pectoral fins would prevent it from backing out.