How Many Loaches is Too Many

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Bderick67

Bderick67

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MFK Member
Aug 18, 2006
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I have a 120 gallon (60" x 18" x 26") planted tank filtered with 2 Eheim 2026 canister filters.
Current stock includes;
a 12-13" Black aro
2x 5-6" marble angels
a pair of 3-4" firemouths(they spawn every 3 weeks)
5x clown loaches
5x yo yo loaches (loaches vary from 3-6")
3x blue botia
a 2-3" clown pleco
a 2-3" albinp bristlenose pleco

And the following soon to be removed
a 5-6"common pleco
a 3-4" red tail shark
2x convict fry 1/2-3/4"
3 or 4 chinese algae eaters 3-4"

I have three more clown loaches I would like to add to the mix when they are outa quarentine.
My question is;

Would 16 loaches ranging in size from 3-6" be too much.

I realize some fish will out grow this tank and they will be moved to larger tanks when the time is right.
 
I think there can never be enough loaches! To gauge your bioload, test your nitrates.
 
ewurm;912195; said:
I think there can never be enough loaches! To gauge your bioload, test your nitrates.
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The bioload is fine nitrates never reach 20ppm with a 30g W/C every two weeks. I am just wondering if the loaches(as a pack) will ever go after any of the other fish. It is amazing what the 13 of them do to a market shrimp. I just don't want to add three more and have them do the same to one of the other fish.
 
Loaches won't bother the fish. Sounds like you bioload is fine, go for it. I have 8 clowns, 2 Yo-yos and a Modesta in my tank, they shoal nicely.
 
when you add another loach and it is out of the water because the tank is FULL of loaches, you have too many.
 
evercl92;912354; said:
I also think you'll be fine. Good luck catching those CAE's, those SOB's are smart...
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ya no kiddin, I am planning a major clean up and plant trimming. All the fish I need to remove are quite cunning. I am moving my aro to another tank and draining at least half the water. So those little suckers don't stand a chance:grinno:
 
cockroach;912386; said:
when you add another loach and it is out of the water because the tank is FULL of loaches, you have too many.
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If you only add 12 gallons of water to your 125 and then the fish, that is almost too many.
 
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