Loach Suggestions

Jim_PA · 11-09-2012, 02:32 PM

LFS got several Zebra loaches in, I was thinking about buying a few for my tank, what everyone thoughts on these?? They stay much smaller than the clown loach, or will they still cause problem with my plants

Thanks

**mistergreen** · 11-09-2012, 02:36 PM

It depends on the loach and on the plants. Loach like to play, zip around, dig. Any newly planted plants will get uprooted. Some loaches will punch holes in broad leaves but it's not permanent.

I have plants with my loaches but be prepare to do weekly replanting. Deeps rooter like crypts and such seems to work fine.

Diana · 11-09-2012, 02:53 PM

Zebras are well behaved small Loaches. They will eat shrimp. They are social, so will be happier in a group of about half a dozen. They are not such great diggers, but this can vary. I would sure go for these guys as a very good choice for tanks of at least 29 gallons. They are fish friendly. I had them with a breeding colony of Endlers. Maybe they ate a baby Endler from time to time, but the Endler colony kept growing, so if a few babies disappeared I never noticed. They definitely ate all the cherry shrimp, though. They are good pond snail predators, and I think they ate some MTS. There were still a lot of MTS in that tank when I redid it, though, so the Zebra Loaches did not get rid of all of them. There were empty shells on the surface, so I am sure the Loaches ate some of the MTS.

jshaffer740 · 11-09-2012, 06:18 PM

Not sure if they are similar, but I have a trio of Yo-Yo Loaches that I think are great. They seem to have a lot of personality. They definitely like to "root" around in the substrate, but I have not seen any uprooted plants, or holes in any leaves as of yet. I definitely have enjoyed mine.

HD Blazingwolf · 11-09-2012, 08:22 PM

the zebra loach (striata) is awesome i have in 5 in my 29 gallon. they will nip a few plants OCCAISIONALLY. its rare but does happen if they are hungry, but overall, very playful and fun fish

they do stay small

Diana · 11-10-2012, 02:01 AM

Yoyos are not the same. They get about twice as long as Zebras, are very much burrowing, and are predatory. A young Yoyo (4" long) can eat an adult Neon Tetra.

Jim_PA · 11-10-2012, 02:04 AM

Thanks everyone for the advise, I picked up 6 at LFS tonight, and they will be in my Qtank for a few weeks. Looking forward to see them in my main tank.

11-09-2012, 02:32 PM	#1
Jim_PA Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 1,108	Loach Suggestions LFS got several Zebra loaches in, I was thinking about buying a few for my tank, what everyone thoughts on these?? They stay much smaller than the clown loach, or will they still cause problem with my plants Thanks

11-09-2012, 02:36 PM	#2
mistergreen Bow ties are cool (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 12,889	It depends on the loach and on the plants. Loach like to play, zip around, dig. Any newly planted plants will get uprooted. Some loaches will punch holes in broad leaves but it's not permanent. I have plants with my loaches but be prepare to do weekly replanting. Deeps rooter like crypts and such seems to work fine. __________________ DIY High Tech Tank forum http://aquatictechtank.net A forum dedicated to design and program aquatic tanks

11-09-2012, 08:22 PM	#5
HD Blazingwolf Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 4,715	the zebra loach (striata) is awesome i have in 5 in my 29 gallon. they will nip a few plants OCCAISIONALLY. its rare but does happen if they are hungry, but overall, very playful and fun fish they do stay small __________________ Sump Pimp #7 75G Rainbowfish Journal

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11-09-2012, 02:53 PM	#3
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,012	Zebras are well behaved small Loaches. They will eat shrimp. They are social, so will be happier in a group of about half a dozen. They are not such great diggers, but this can vary. I would sure go for these guys as a very good choice for tanks of at least 29 gallons. They are fish friendly. I had them with a breeding colony of Endlers. Maybe they ate a baby Endler from time to time, but the Endler colony kept growing, so if a few babies disappeared I never noticed. They definitely ate all the cherry shrimp, though. They are good pond snail predators, and I think they ate some MTS. There were still a lot of MTS in that tank when I redid it, though, so the Zebra Loaches did not get rid of all of them. There were empty shells on the surface, so I am sure the Loaches ate some of the MTS.

11-09-2012, 06:18 PM	#4
jshaffer740 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 32	Not sure if they are similar, but I have a trio of Yo-Yo Loaches that I think are great. They seem to have a lot of personality. They definitely like to "root" around in the substrate, but I have not seen any uprooted plants, or holes in any leaves as of yet. I definitely have enjoyed mine.

11-10-2012, 02:01 AM	#6
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,012	Yoyos are not the same. They get about twice as long as Zebras, are very much burrowing, and are predatory. A young Yoyo (4" long) can eat an adult Neon Tetra.

11-10-2012, 02:04 AM	#7
Jim_PA Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 1,108	Thanks everyone for the advise, I picked up 6 at LFS tonight, and they will be in my Qtank for a few weeks. Looking forward to see them in my main tank.