YoYo Loach Questions

[predatorkeeper87]

Hey all,

Just curious about these guys as I've never owned them before.

I'm primarily interested in them as they would look ok in my bichir tank (albino sens and koliba, both passive and under 5") and I have one heck of a snail problem in there. I mean I have no clue were they came from and they took over in a week...

My main question is (and I think I know the answer but I thought I better ask anyhow) will the yoyo's eat ghost shrimp too? I ask because I have a healthy colony of ghost shrimp in the bichir tank (no idea how, the bichirs dont bother them, hell they eat together sometimes) and they are a great clean up crew in there, they eat everything the bichirs leave behind. I barely get anything out of the bottom of the tank when I vac it.

I'd prefer not to lose my ghost shrimp but I really need the snails gone before it causes a nitrate issue in my tank.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[kno4te]

They may eat the ghost shrimp likely if u don't keep their appetites at bay. The only problem I can see is ur bichirs eating the loaches and the ghost shrimp eventually.


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[predatorkeeper87]

Ya I know they wouldn't be safe in there long term. But right now the loaches will be roughly the same size as the sens and if my koliba hasn't eaten him yet then I imagine he will be just fine with the loaches zipping around haha.
Believe me, I can't figure out why the koliba hasn't eaten the shrimp yet...he LOVES raw shrimp haha, but lets the ghosts eat the scraps right infront of his face lol. the sens has nipped at them but only because they got to close to his face, never ate one though.


Thanks man, ya I figured if they eat snails they probably eat shrimp too...

 

[lardieleftover]

Could try clown loach, rather sensitive fish, but they known to remove snails. They might kill the shrimp though, need more thoughts on them.
All loachs are really fun to watch

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Could try clown loach, rather sensitive fish, but they known to remove snails. They might kill the shrimp though, need more thoughts on them.
All loachs are really fun to watch

haha ya I've been told loaches are a blast, and people keep clowns in with their bichirs all the time (size permitting of course) and they definitely eat snails for sure. I figure though if they eat one invert, they eat them all...general rule of thumb I was just hoping for a miracle loach that wouldnt mack on shrimp too.

 

[MilitantPotato]

I'd say loaches would be a no-go with the shrimp from my experience. Why not try assassin snails? I've heard they do a decent job keeping snails in check.
Also, yo-yo loaches eating snails has been hit or miss for me.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I'd say loaches would be a no-go with the shrimp from my experience. Why not try assassin snails? I've heard they do a decent job keeping snails in check.
Also, yo-yo loaches eating snails has been hit or miss for me.

I thought about them but what happens when there are no more snails haha. Would they eat left over tilapia and pellets or are they strictly snail eaters?

 

[MilitantPotato]

I believe they scavenge well. Also unless you go way overboard i doubt they will kill off all the snails, especially if overfeeding is an issue. Are you infested with trumpet snails or pond snails? I keep trumpet snails in all of my tanks on purpose. They cause no harm and do plenty of good.

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[predatorkeeper87]

I believe they scavenge well. Also unless you go way overboard i doubt they will kill off all the snails, especially if overfeeding is an issue. Are you infested with trumpet snails or pond snails? I keep trumpet snails in all of my tanks on purpose. They cause no harm and do plenty of good.

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I have pond snails that hitched rides on plants. I have no real problem with them I just wanted to stem their population haha. Trumpets nooooo way, great substrate movers, until you aren't paying attention and your nitrates spike because theres 200 of them under the sand in your tank hahaa.