Different Loaches = fun?

Question

so the 20 gallon as of now still has the Blood Fin. Neon and Gold barb...
i went to the pet store today.. and reserved/asked for a clown Loach..

if they get one in then i can get one if not... ill have to ditch that pet store. x]

someone who answered my questions yesterday suggested a Kuhli Loach... at first i was freaked out about this thinking "who'd want such a worm like fish?!" then i realized its not so bad..

Q1: so I'm thinking if they DO get a Clown Loach will it be ok with a hopefully soon to come Kuhli loach?

Q2: lets say the Clown Loach doesn't come in, then will a Kuhli Loach be Okay in the tank?

Q3: since they're both scaleless... will increasing the water temperature help decrease the chance of diseases??

Answer 1

I have to say, I don't really like the Coolie (Kuhli) Loaches.

1 Clown Loach wouldn't be so great.

Loaches like to be in groups of 3 or more.

And Clown Loaches grow quite large (1 foot).


ßübblëš

Answer 2

Greetings again. =)

I've kept kuhli loaches in the past. They are a rather shy fish, but if you get enough of them they're much more social, and will often race along the edges of the tank, dance up and down the sides, and will huddle up in big stripey knots together. =) They're very personable little guys!

1) I would stick to one species. I still think a kuhli loach is a better idea as it would be more suited to your size tank, but if I can't change your mind then I would only add the one loach.

2) Kuhlis would go just fine in your tank. =) I would try for three with your current inhabitants, as you'll find they will be much bolder if they have a few buddies (It's the same for clowns, but you don't have enough room for more than one). Give them some hiding places like caves and rocks, as well as plenty of plants to zoom around through and they'll be happy. =) Please remember that they are shy fish and will need quite a bit of time to adjust to new surroundings. Eventually they'll start poking around and becoming more bold, but they are quite needy of that 'adjustment period.'

3) A temperature around 80-82 is ideal for kuhlis and 78 for clowns, and keeping them at ideal temperatures and water parameters will definitely help ward off disease and otherwise. =)

Good luck!
C.G.

Answer 3

It will be fine with khuli loach but I'd suggest at least 2 clown loach, what someone forgot to mention is khuli loach have a habit of disappearing into the gravel and not seen again until you come for a major clean out.
Having and elevated temperature will indeed decrease the chances of white spot, however, it also decreases the amount of oxygen in the water so less fish.

Answer 4

1. Loaches will get along with each other, just make sure you have enough hiding spaces for both of them.
2. Yes, he'll get along fine.
3. A Clown Loach actually has so tiny scales that you can't see them. I don't know about a Kuhli Loach, but I presume it has the same. I'd recommend keeping the temp. stable at 78-79.

~ZTM

Answer 5

All loaches are social schooling fish. In a 20g tank the Khuli loaches are a better choice than the clown loaches. The clowns will outgrow a small 20g tank, they can get a foot long.