Loaches for a cool water tank?

[nuth88]

I have a 30 gal that I am setting up for my Gymno.Paso Pasche, and want to give them some company, I love loaches but do not know if there is any kind of loach I could use in a cool water tank, just a basement tank, no less then 68 degrees, as there is no heater.....Can you loach folks give a brother some advice??

Thanks in Advance~

Nuthman~

 

[djdlemma]

What about a weather loach

 

[nuth88]

Help me out, Sci name?

 

[ewurm]

Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

 

[syddakyd]

hillsteam loach?

 

[Lupin]

Hillstream loaches prefer a tank with powerful currents. I don't think they're the right fish for this one. A lone dojo will work. Schisturas and nemacheilus will also work. Other coldwater species though these are not loaches are the Garra. Garra flavatra, Garra cambodgiensis and Garra taeniata are often available around the trade.

 

[nuth88]

I love the thought of the Weather Loach, but am concerned about the size of the tankmates, as Gymnos are smaller then the normal Geo, and a 30 is a bit on the small size as I have read these like most all loaches, love the company of others, any other thoughts? I am debating a 4' tank tho... If I went with the Weather Loach I would have to have 3 or more.....

Nuthman~

 

[Lupin]

Dojos are fine even in singles. It's my perspective that it was more of fish entertainment rather than human entertainment that dojos are often recommended in groups unlike most other loaches that tend to shy away if kept in lesser numbers than what was required. They can be kept in groups but they're fine singly. Considering your tank size, I would keep no more than one. I have only a loner here as I have trouble finding more dojos and he has been happily foraging the bottom for food with my canas.

 

[nuth88]

Thanks Lupin~

My other thought is using my 45, (a 75 footprint - Very Low Tank - 4' x 12" (H) x 18" (D)) and giving the loaches more room, (Allowing me to do a group of 2-3?) as the only thing in the 45 now is my Istlanthum Grow out and he could do just as well in a 30.....

Thoughts?

Again, Thanks in advance~

Nuthman~