Animal Stories - People Talking About Loaches



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Aquarium Tropical Fish Articles

Latest Animal Stories on Loaches (234)

tappy - 2011-12-09
I have 55acrylic ten year established aquarium. Recently and old plecostamus die, his tankmates, 3 kuhlis for about 2 years. temp alway 69-72. had ten years, in family 7 years or so. I re- established aquarium, first water change, filter change, with 3 more kuhlies. Several plants, aquatic wood, ph 7.0 all else normal. The three new loaches 10days now, fine eating, even 2 Chinese algae eaters two. All getting along. Past few days, the two or three at times swimming on end on aquarium in circles, fast, through planets, only taking little breathers. Yesterday found baby loach who had been under large hiding rock, showed himself, sulfide. other 3 all under there for a long time, I had believed the worst, they came out as well swimming round baby occasionally, then all go back to hiding. The new ones, are swimming during daytime, I am worried they are not acclimating. One looks plump, otherwise all healthy looking, algae eaters good too, and baby o.k. any advice for my dilemma and really long explanation of situation. My humble thanks. Never had loaches until couple years ago, they never did anything like this. Aquariust from Vacaville, Ca.

bruno - 2011-09-24
This fish are so nice.My peppered loach clean my aquarium fallen food.Like all loach,when day hide in the cave.

Nic - 2012-02-10
I have 1 horseface loach, Its very interesting to look at, to bad I only see it about once every two weeks and if it sees me it dives into the gravel. I have only had it for a short time so hopefully it will become a bit more brave and swim around the tank more.

fishy - 2010-04-14
i bought 2 clown loaches yesterday 1 of them is active n keeps swimming but the other one just stays at 1 place it only moves when I bang my palm on the glass of my aquarium plz tell me is he fine or is he sick?

Click For Replies (3)

spencer - 2010-11-16
Fishy. If your clown loach is like that, you check if it has white spots all over its body. If it has, your loach has ich which is a disease common among tropical fishes, especially clown loach. If not treated, it could kill your fish. I would recommend adding in medicine that is used to treat white spots/ich and get a heater to heat the water temperature to 30 degrees-spencer.
HANDSOME - 2012-01-25
I think it is sick.Is there any white spots?They are prone to ich.
Alex Burleson - 2012-02-02
You should never tap the glass. This, stresses the fish out. He could be adjusting to the aquarium, give him a few days.

Sarah Greenwood - 2011-11-25
I collected two japenese weather loaches yesterday they seemed fine and one still does but one of them has turned on it side at the bottom of the tank and has what looks like a white gunk coming out of his anal hole and some blood also, can anybody help?

Click For Replies (3)

Charlie Roche - 2011-11-25
Try looking at the article Fish Diseases and look under constipation, parasites and fungal diseases. See if the symptoms apply and if so the corresponding medication is listed. Good luck.
christie - 2011-12-20
DoJos like to play dead
Anonymous - 2012-01-10
Dojos Do play dead but that discharge is a a symptom. Don't wait to fiigure out What it could be. Treat immediately. I found it super traumatic to lose a dojo

fishdude - 2006-08-21
I have one of these little terrors. I've never seen a loach more aggresive than this one. He attacks all of my fish when they swim by him, even my convict cichlid and green terror. If he's scared, he darts away back into his little hole. He likes to snack on feeder fish, brine shrimp, and freeze-dried krill.

Joan - 2010-12-14
Hi!

I love your site and has many different species!

I had two Pangio Kuhil loach's that were doing fabulous, I bought another two yesterday and now three are swimming like they have something after them, they swim quickly up and down the tank, the fourth just lies around.

Mine don't seem to be nocturnal as they are swimming all day.

What I am wondering now is are they upset that two more were added or perhaps trying to harm each other, including the one that lies around?

The other two never did this, as said, the three are swimming up and down really fast and they do this until they tire.

I read up on something about catfish and that they get confused but didn't understand it all.....I don't know if my two catfish are called catfish, mine are bottom feeders and maybe an inch long max.

Any help would be appreciated, they were added to the tank just yesterday, if they were just getting to know each other or were out of sorts and confused, this should have topped.

Click For Replies (2)

huss - 2011-04-22
The 2 fish you saw swimming up and down the tank might have a been a act of mating. Expect to find babies loaches soon!
Jean - 2011-11-09
I've seen behavior like this called a "rain dance". I'm sure it's attributed their mating being brought on by rainfall like other fish in their native region if this is correct then a waterfall style filter may be simulating rainfall and bring on this behavior. I have had kuhlis for a few months now and I recently added 4 more bringing a total of 9. They are active all day long and exhibit his behavior as well as far as I can tell it's harmless. They won't breed until they reach sexual maturity which can take as long as 2 years but usually is around 18 months. In large numbers they like to lay around each other in the open all day and often play with each other. Don't worry if your kuhlis are acting like everyone else's their behavior has a lot of contributing factors including other fish in the tank, cover and filtration. The more hiding places you give them the more time they will spend out as they feel safer. There isn't a lot of comprehensive info about their behavior and breeding info is scarce. They have some very odd behaviors often being called foolie loaches because they like to stress out their owners by playing dead. Don't be surprised to find them hanging off plants they love to climb. For now I'm trying to document their behaviors and figure out causes. Most people will try and compare their behavior with other fish species but this can't really be done. Fish behavior is diverse for every type. Don't let people scare you by telling you they are under oxygenated I have two air stones running a lot of oxygen and mine still "rain dance". Best I can say is try to figure out what your tank conditions would be replicating in their natural environment and you might be able to figure out their seasonal behavior patterns. I'm rambling a bit. Hope I helped.

Dillon - 2011-10-30
I love these guys! I got 3 of them about 2weeks ago. idk if mine are just special or what but I have lots of bottom feeders and they arent agressive at all. Really cool fish. I reccomend them

Click For Replies (1)

Alex Burleson - 2011-10-30
Redtail Botia are a personal favorite of mine! They are interesting little bottom feeders! Some are semi aggressive, while others are not. Fish, are individuals, such as humans.

Mrs S Woolley - 2010-10-12
Why do my zebra loaches keep eating my plants?

Click For Replies (1)

Bruce Davenport . - 2011-09-24
I think your fish are eating your plants because in the wild they naturally eat plants . My advice is for you to purchase some bottom feeder pellets from your pet store to boost their intake of greens . I had the same prob. with mine and this worked a treat .

pat - 2011-07-14
I would like to know what fish go with loaches...I have two loaches and some guppies in my tank. However my loach is being eaten, so it appears to have a lot of flesh missing on the back quarter. Can anyone help me with this, I do not want to lose the loaches, I find them so beautiful. Thanks.

Click For Replies (4)

Charlie Roche - 2011-07-15
The Dojo is normally a good community fish and gets along with most. Are you sure the loach is being eaten by the guppies. Could it have gotten stuck under a filter or cok or bruised somehow. Can you move it to a smaller tank, check on it and treat it if necessary?
pat - 2011-08-03
I thank you for your response but my dojo passed away sometime during last night. It was eaten by something but I am not sure what. It had part of the spine exposed and you could actually see bite marks in it. We took it out to investigate and we found marks all over its body. I will miss it for sure because it gave my grandkids lots to watch when it performed.
fishyhelper - 2011-09-10
Sounds like a bacterial thing or a wound thing. They are scaleless so if there are any sharp rocks that they are trying to burrow under that could cause it. The other possibility is a parasite. Go see a good fishy doc. It's rare they get ich but it could happen if it starts with a wound.
jackie - 2011-09-23
what does the dojo poop look like

About Animal-World

Animal-World offers animal pictures, videos, and animal information on all different types of pets and animals. Included are animals that are commonly kept as pets, exotic pets and wild animals. Check us out for information, education, and fun. We strive to aid in responsible pet ownership and an understanding of the importance of preserving and honoring our world and its inhabitants. Animal-World members and contributors are from all over the world. You too are invited to be an active participant in this community. Post your own personal pet stories, contribute pictures of your pets, and join the forums for pet and animal discussions.

Visit Animal-World

Animal Stories - People Talking About Loaches

About Animal-World