What is the key to keeping loaches with dark black bars?

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aznfab213

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 13, 2008
419
6
48
WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA
I have a school of 27 loaches. Some are dark black while others are not. Please let me know. They currently are feeding on cucumber, market prawns, algae wafers, and sinking pellets.
 
im curoious to this too. i have a few with really faint bars too. but sometimes they are jet black. i wonder whats cauasing it besides the obvious stress.
 
I notice you didn't have any decorations/hiding places in your tank I saw the loaches in. That could be part of whats making them fade. I had lots of hiding places in the tank I had them in and all but one had good color. You might not see them as often but they look nicer.

They'll also fade while they get used to the tank.

If you want to keep the tank easier to clean just use one or two large pieces of driftwood with hiding space underneath.

You'll know your loaches are happy when they start dancing in schools up and down the glass.

Loaches will also fade as they sort out pack dominance and all that social stuff.
 
rdx1555;3097112; said:
I notice you didn't have any decorations/hiding places in your tank I saw the loaches in. That could be part of whats making them fade. I had lots of hiding places in the tank I had them in and all but one had good color. You might not see them as often but they look nicer.

They'll also fade while they get used to the tank.

If you want to keep the tank easier to clean just use one or two large pieces of driftwood with hiding space underneath.

You'll know your loaches are happy when they start dancing in schools up and down the glass.

Loaches will also fade as they sort out pack dominance and all that social stuff.
Thank you very much Chris. An hour after I introduced them, they had begun to do the dance up and down against the tank. It was awesome. I will add some driftwood and some fake plants. Thanks again for the wonderful fish:)
 
aznfab213;3098536; said:
Thank you very much Chris. An hour after I introduced them, they had begun to do the dance up and down against the tank. It was awesome. I will add some driftwood and some fake plants. Thanks again for the wonderful fish:)

hmmm.. i wonder if i need more than... I never pay much attention to them.. but i do have only 2.... sadly..
 
maybe its region? or substrate?
 
i had some dark and some light, i made the loach food from another thread and they all have dark stripes now and a stronger orange. If you in norcal you can have some to try out
 
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