kuhli and weather loaches in same tank

[marita]

Hi - I'm new to this board and need some help, pls.
I ended up "rescuing" 2 weatherloaches and a kuhli loach - long story! They have been in a 30 gallon tank for over a year now. No other fish. We have cows, horses, goats, donkies, dogs and birds thumbs2: , but fish or loaches were never considered a voluntary addition to our "zoo"!
Anyway, I have kept those little ones in the aquarium together; water temperature is always around 80 degrees (compromise of temperatures for both species). Is that a good temperature?
I also have had problems with the proper feeding amount. They seem to like goldfish flakes the best - BUT I think I am overfeeding since there is always a lot of stuff in the filter and gravel. I clean the tank every week and do a waterchange (with bottled spring water since our well-water is very salty).
How much should 3 loaches be fed daily?
Also, the one little kuhli is ALWAYS hiding - is he lonely.
I really grew fond of those cuties and try to do everything to keep them happy. Lots of hiding spaces, soft gravel, etc. But I'm not sure if I'm doing everything right. When feeding algae wafers - how much for 3 loaches. I have broken wafer in half and fed it, only to find a mess of soaked leftovers the next morning! Bought frozen bloodworms - how many do I feed? Like I said, I tend to overfeed with everything and make a mess in the aquarium. :help: (All our other animals seem so much easier to take care of!)

[troy]

Actually I don't see how that is a compromise for both species. 75* would be better. You should only be feeding them what they can eat in a minute once or twice a day.

[abaigael04]

and I will add that the lone kuhlii is definitely lonely - they stay small, so if yu can find 2 more - I think he would much prefer it. Agree to lower the temp. I think 80* is a bit high for kuhliis, and weather loaches they say are for 50-77*, so a little lower would be best. They may also like a treat of some frozen foods - you can buy a variety pack at petsmart or such stores that come in nice convenient little cubes. I would definitely feed them less- not sure how much exactly - see how much they eat in a minute or two and lessen it to that much . :ssmile: and welcome - I have horses, dogs and cats and there are some adorable goats at my barn. :1luvu:

[loachcoach]

80 degrees is fine for the kuhli's but a bit high for the weather loaches....you might drop the temp a few degrees....might drop it to 76 or 77. It's not unusual for kuhli's to burrow under the substrate....I've lost them for months at a time and then they magically reappear. As stated above, your kuhli definitely needs a few more of his own kind (add at least two, a few more would be even better).


Loaches have a way of working themselves into our hearts, don't they?