Nuth's Random Loach Thoughts....Feedback Please!

[nuth88]

I have been working with Loaches for years now, and I will always have my cichlids, but am loving my Loaches as much if not close to more, the activity level is awesome and they can handle themselves with the bruisers. Thoughts and experiences please!!!

Species Tanks (Alone or with their own species)

Red Tails (Yasuhikotakia modesta)
Skunks (Yasuhikotakia morleti)

My Red Tails (6) are in my 220 due to their future large size and aggression, With the Big Boys
My Skunks (7) are in a 45 Long (Think 75 Gallon Footprint, but much shorter (12")) With my Izzy for now, but the Izzy is getting his own tank, and I will be adding a colony of Geo.Steinys in the 45.

Mixable Loaches:

Yoyo's (Botia almorhae)
Zebras - (Botia striata)
Angelicus (Botia kubotai)
Clowns (Chromobotia macracanthus)

I am now falling in love with:

Golden Zebras (Botia histrionica)
Sergeant Major Loach (Botia rostrata)
&
Queens (Botia dario)

Yet, I'm researching compatability amongst the above 3 species, as well as I am adding the following to my Coldwater Gymno Tank:

Weather/Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)

I'm hoping for 3 total, with 1 being of the Gold variety.

I would love to hear from someone, anyone who keeps:

Kuhli Loaches - (Pangio kuhlii), as far as compatability, tank mates, feeding etc. Trying to do all the needed research before jumping in to any more. I beat a subject into the ground, but I refuse to not be educated.

Nuthman~

 

[Lupin]

Kuhlis are plainly peaceful community fish that can work well with several invertebrates such as snails. I have just explained in the other thread all serpentine loaches can work well with snails. It is not in their nature to eat a snail due to the different mouth structure in comparison to those of the botiine genus. Feeding is not a problem as they will eat just about anything given to them. They're best kept in groups rather than in less than five in number.

I have plenty of this information by the way in the sticky threads here.

 

[nuth88]

Thanks Lupester! I did find those stickys! Just looking for some folks to chime in with personal experience.

Nuth

 

[JD_MAN]

Most of my experience has been with clown loaches. But, I do know the loaches eventually took over my cichlid tanks. I use to keep cichlids in with my loaches, but have found the loaches much more enjoyable on their own. (I do still have a small cichlid setup though.)

 

[nuth88]

JD_Man

I still Love my Cichilds, but I am in total agreement, Loaches are much more of a Fishkeepers Drug man......Mellows me out, and now, I just gave them a 75 as the main centerpieces. Ill always have a Cichlid or 60, but The Loaches are fascinating. Rolling with 14 in there now (Yoyos and Kubotai) but i am looking to up that pack to 20. I eventually will do a 125 with Clowns, Yoyo, Kubotai, Queens, Zebras, along with histrionica and rostrata. Throw in some sweet rare SD's to fill the water collumn! Wala! Instant Awesome Dream Tank!

 

[JD_MAN]

Sounds sweet.

My clown loach tank is a 220 and my cichlid tank is a 120 wide. I have gotten rid of all of my other tanks, but love just having the 2 show tanks.

Now we need pics.

 

[nuth88]

JD~

Just got a Flip Cam (USB Camcorder) Repair had one, and it was easy as pie to use. Just did a massive WC, need to add my additional 10 Yoyos (Thursday Day or Friday Day) and Ill be ready to post a Vid.

 

[K626]

I had a tank full of the dojo loaches, the regulars and the golds and I have to say they are extremely entertaining to watch. When I did tank work they would nibble at my hands and swim through my fingers. khuli loaches (unless you have like 50 of them) are nocturnal and you'll hardly ever see them out. But I've kept them in tropical setups as well as cooler tanks and they've always done great. They like bloodworms and the flake food too.

 

[Muske]

Waiting for movie time.

 

[nuth88]

Waiting for movie time.

Hoping Tonight, Got to figure out this new cam/flip! Almost there!

Nuthman~