Community Loach Tank?

[blacksnow]

I've fallen in love with the few clown loaches I have. Will be sad when they get too big for me =[

I've found some smaller loaches I love though, and I'm thinking of doing a 120 gallon community tank with all loaches.

Here's what I'm thinking

8 - dwarf loaches [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
5 - zebra loaches [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
3 - YoYo Loaches [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
5 - Marble Loaches [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Thoughts?

[sharonm]

I am envious as that tank would be very fun to watch and keep! I have sand, kuhli, yo yo, and clowns in my 75. Your clown would be fine in the 120 also! I will eventually upgrade to a 125. I think your choices are terrific!

[blacksnow]

I am envious as that tank would be very fun to watch and keep! I have sand, kuhli, yo yo, and clowns in my 75. Your clown would be fine in the 120 also! I will eventually upgrade to a 125. I think your choices are terrific!
Ya I think it would be an amazing tank =]

Glad someone else agrees!

[Red]

this is what I have in my tank...
5 zebra loaches
5 horseface loaches
4 kuhli loaches
4 dwarf loaches

By far zebra loaches are the best! I think I am going to bump up the group and move other fish! If you want a loach tank, you got to have kuhli loaches! What size tank are you putting these in..

[blacksnow]

this is what I have in my tank...
5 zebra loaches
5 horseface loaches
4 kuhli loaches
4 dwarf loaches

By far zebra loaches are the best! I think I am going to bump up the group and move other fish! If you want a loach tank, you got to have kuhli loaches! What size tank are you putting these in..

120 gallon is the plan

[Red]

LOL I guess I am blind, just noticed that.
You would be good for loaches for about 2+ years, and once they get to a big enough size and to big for your tank, you can sell them for some nice cash!

[blacksnow]

LOL I guess I am blind, just noticed that.
You would be good for loaches for about 2+ years, and once they get to a big enough size and to big for your tank, you can sell them for some nice cash!
Well...From what I've read about each species I listed. They COULD all fit in that tink with proper filtration, but I would consider it a tight fit.

As you said though could always sell or turn in to LFS for store credit.

But keeping fish is just another excuse to buy yet another larger tank ;)

[Dave66]

The only problem I see is the Yo Yo Loaches, which can become a tad aggressive when they grow up when you keep them in groups of under six fish. They also get a bit larger than the other species you mentioned at six inches.

Were it me, I'd do 14 dwarf loaches, eight zebras and six each of the other species you listed in a 120. I'd plant the dickens out of the tank first, provide some driftwood and rounded stones, if I wanted to keep groups of loaches in in a tank that size. I've kept as many as eight species of Botia in tanks before, albeit in tanks larger than 120 gallons.

You really need to plant and decorate that tank with driftwood and stones so each species of loach can have their 'space' to retire to.

Considered tankmates to go with your loaches?

Dave

[blacksnow]

The only problem I see is the Yo Yo Loaches, which can become a tad aggressive when they grow up when you keep them in groups of under six fish. They also get a bit larger than the other species you mentioned at six inches.

Were it me, I'd do 14 dwarf loaches, eight zebras and six each of the other species you listed in a 120. I'd plant the dickens out of the tank first, provide some driftwood and rounded stones, if I wanted to keep groups of loaches in in a tank that size. I've kept as many as eight species of Botia in tanks before, albeit in tanks larger than 120 gallons.

You really need to plant and decorate that tank with driftwood and stones so each species of loach can have their 'space' to retire to.

Considered tankmates to go with your loaches?

Dave

I planned on having the tank heavily planted, and having a few pieces of driftwood (hopefully hollow like my current piece to provide nice hiding spots). I'll also build a few rock caves.

With that many fish not sure if I could even fit a tankmate?

[Dave66]

You could, seeing as most of the loach species you are interested in are little guys, with the smallest a bit over two inches and the largest about 4.5, not counting the Yo Yos. You've more than enough room for a couple schools of the more ornate barb species, like checkers (24 to 36) to cruise the middle of the tank, and perhaps a group of 18 or so of the smaller danios, like spotted fellows - Brachydanio nigrolineatus - who'll swim in the upper third. Then you'd have a southeast Asian tank, since that's where your loaches, barbs and danios come from. Tank would be a real showpiece once it matures and you're finished with your stocking.

Dave

[blacksnow]

You could, seeing as most of the loach species you are interested in are little guys, with the smallest a bit over two inches and the largest about 4.5, not counting the Yo Yos. You've more than enough room for a couple schools of the more ornate barb species, like checkers (24 to 36) to cruise the middle of the tank, and perhaps a group of 18 or so of the smaller danios, like spotted fellows - Brachydanio nigrolineatus - who'll swim in the upper third. Then you'd have a southeast Asian tank, since that's where your loaches, barbs and danios come from. Tank would be a real showpiece once it matures and you're finished with your stocking.

Dave
That does sound like an amazing tank.

You sure thats not too many fish? Cause I'll do it ;)

Original plan was a 125 with a fluval fx5 to start. I'm thinking about 150 gallon, and 1 fluval fx5, and then adding another down the road...hrmmmm

[Dave66]

As long as you stock slowly, just a very few fish every other week, you could easily house that many fish in a 120. Largest fish you'd have in there would be the Yo Yos. The danios grow to an inch and a quarter, and the checker barbs two inches, thus the numbers I quoted. Even when they grow to their maximum length they are little fishes, and since little fishes impinge so little on water chemistry, you can have more than you think you can.

Quarantine tank is pretty much essential when you get into larger tanks, because adding a single diseased fish can easily wipe out your carefully constructed school of fish, meaning money down the drain.

Dave

[blacksnow]

As long as you stock slowly, just a very few fish every other week, you could easily house that many fish in a 120. Largest fish you'd have in there would be the Yo Yos. The danios grow to an inch and a quarter, and the checker barbs two inches, thus the numbers I quoted. Even when they grow to their maximum length they are little fishes, and since little fishes impinge so little on water chemistry, you can have more than you think you can.

Quarantine tank is pretty much essential when you get into larger tanks, because adding a single diseased fish can easily wipe out your carefully constructed school of fish, meaning money down the drain.

Dave

I have a 10 gallon with filter I'm not using. Guess every other week or so I could pick up a few of each ;)

[Goodbye]

I think that a loach tank would be awsome. I could sit in front of a loach tank watching them for hours! Good Luck!