I know loaches like to school but I read somewhere that when they get bigger they may be ok by themselves. I think they had some zebra loaches at the LFS around 5" or so. Would it be ok if I bought one or does it really need a small shoal (3+)?
Single adult loach
- Thread starter SuPraScOObY
- Start date
idk for sure, but i' pretty sure they prefer schools but can do without. it's normally smaller fish that need to feel more secure, but a group of three would probably do the trick, i'm nota fan of keeping one of a kind alone. i only keep 2 kuhlis together, but should probably have more. my dojo has one companion and so did my yoyos, but they all did great, actually they interact better with the rest of the tank in my experience when they aren't in too large of groups. but that's in my experience, i' sure the opposite could happen too
I would get two because if you've ever kept them both ways you can see a noticable personality difference when they have a companion. I had an angelicus botia that was the only one at the store at the time of purchase, and kept him for a long time alone. He wasn't unhealthy, but never grew or spent much time out of the rocks. Eventually I got a yoyo loach, also the only one at the store when I got it. They are similar enough in color and structure that the two seem to think they are the same species and the angelicus botia I had originally had a growth spurt since then and spends most of his time out and about with his yoyo loach buddy.
Loaches prefer to be kept in groups. Consider the tank size and space before buying them. I suggest keeping 5 as the minimum, not two. Loaches establish a social hierarchy within their group. Keeping them singly or in two is just not as good as keeping them in a large group.
I agree. I have a loner Tiger loach that I got before I had truly researched and I only see it at feeding time. My other loaches are in proper groupings and uch ore active and visible.
I noticed a further positive change in my clown loaches´ social behaviour after upping their numbers above fifteen. They lost all fear
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