View Full Version : Killer Loach
shecky71
09-07-2006, 11:24 PM
Has anyone ever heard of a Loach killing off fish?
A friend of mine had a tank that was neglected over a period of 1 month or so. He had a Clown loach, Leopard loach(?), Two other fish and a plecto. He told me he had not fed them in about two weeks. The only fish left in the tank was a mature(4years) Leopard Loach, and two Platys. Did the Loach eat the other fish? Would it? I have never heard of such a thing but there were no signs of the other fish at all.
brettrotchell
09-08-2006, 1:06 AM
i dont know about killing the fish but he would have eaten them if they just died . and then there would be know sign of them in the tank . that is weird i dought he killed them though
johno27
09-08-2006, 1:29 AM
I would not suggest telling stories about neglecting fish/animals on a forum dedicated to the proper care of said creatures. But hey that is just me ;)
I hope your friend is locked in a closet for a month :D
shecky71
09-08-2006, 6:57 AM
I would not suggest telling stories about neglecting fish/animals on a forum dedicated to the proper care of said creatures. But hey that is just me ;)
I hope your friend is locked in a closet for a month :D
:iagree:
I don't appreciate what he did at all. That is why I am taking his tank and the remaining fish!
I will give them the proper attention.
Pufferpack
09-08-2006, 1:51 PM
Not sure what species a "Leopard Loach" is, but I have a couple aggressive Yoyo's that would not surprise me if they turned killer. I also have a Skunk Botia that would regularly kill off smaller fish, even killed a Dojo that was about twice it's size....the addition of 5 more Skunks stopped all killing....they are too busy chasing each other around to bother any other fish.
They might cause stress and make it die and then kill it.
I think that my loaches helped kill my bicolor gobies along with the urau cichlids.
:frog:
I have two redtail botias.
and two angelicus loaches
the uarus have gotten more aggressive
this is the last post for today
DeLgAdO
09-08-2006, 4:04 PM
this is the last post for today
:banhim:
marke14
09-08-2006, 4:53 PM
Although I don't own loaches, I have had other fish go missing entirely because I believe they died and went unnoticed in my tank; once they are dead, other fish of all varieties will pick at the corpse.
TheGus
09-08-2006, 5:02 PM
Hearing this doesn't surprise me at all. From my experience, loaches certainly fall under the category of wolves in sheeps clothing.
I've had my 75 gallon loach tank set up for about a year now. On more than one occasion I have witnessed both clown loaches and yoyo loaches chasing after my (former) parrot fishes. The loaches would place their mouths within the parrot's gills and either flash their spines or appear to be biting the insides of their gills (i heard the clicking sounds that normally accompany them eating a treasured food). There wasn't much I could do about the blatant aggression as my 75 is the only tank im allowed and not many people are interested in rehoming a mated pair of parrot fish even if they are free...
RIP Mo'Mo & Freckles :cry:
So to answer your question, yes, I'm sure that the loaches played some role in the killings of the others be it from unchecked aggression, stress, not feeding, etc.
shecky71
09-08-2006, 6:09 PM
I'm Sure it was a Yo-Yo Loach.
If I get this tank, do you think the loach will remain agressive towards the other fish once given the proper attention?
johno27
09-08-2006, 10:18 PM
I f fed properly and with similar sized fish I would think it would be fine but there is always and exception to the rule.
Good Job on the rescue:)
loach43
09-09-2006, 5:14 AM
Some loaches will indeed kill tankmates if you don't watch them. They'll do it by going after other fishes eyes and/or slimecoat. RT botias are noted for that behavior. I once had an approx. 4inch "blueberry botia" take out a full grown sturisoma overnight. :(