Eel or Fish?

[Maxim_Storm]

Hi Everyone

Not sure if anyone can help me but I am trying to identify something, when I say "something" it's because I am really not sure whether it is a fish, an eel or something else.

When I was little my parents kept a tropical fish tank they had Angel fish, pink kiss fish, neons etc (sorry if the names aren't correct I am still very new to this). Anyway long story short we had something that looked like a worm that lived in the bottom of the tank, mostly in the base of one of those artificial bridges. It was about 3-4 inches long and didn't appear to have any fins, it had black and orange horizontal stripes all the way along it's body. I have asked my parents and they can't remember what it was called they only remember that my sister and I would refer to him as "Oswald".

I have trawled the internet and the only thing that comes close is a banded pipefish!

Can anyone help me discover what he was so I can possible relive my childhood and give a good home to another Oswald?

Thanks, Gem x

 

[SirMinion]

Kuhli loach. (Pangio kuhlii)

Definately a type of fish, and a personal favourite too.

This is one of ours:

And welcome to the Forums too!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yep, very cute lil critters but a bit shy. They have fins, but they're very small. They're schooling though, so get 3+. You can also get an all black variety.

 

[Bloo]

Yep, as SirM says, it sounds like Oswald was a Kuhli loach.

Is this what he looked like ?

Mine aren't shy at all and are all over the tank day or night - though mostly resting in the plants of under some wood - but shy mine certainly aren't.

 

[Maxim_Storm]

OMG thank you so much guys!

Oswald looked exactly like bloozoo2's! Wow looks like I might be able to get one then afterall, I was starting to think I was going crazy lol

So you reccomend more than one then? I only have Neon's at the moment but plan to have silver hatchet, green frog, fighting fish (one obviously), guppies and mollies would they be ok with them?

Thank you so much you all just made my day B)
Gem x

 

[SirMinion]

looks like I might be able to get one then

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Get at least three if you have the room, Kuhlis are MUCH happier in small groups.
It's the same with most loach species.

 

[Fella]

OMG thank you so much guys!

Oswald looked exactly like bloozoo2's! Wow looks like I might be able to get one then afterall, I was starting to think I was going crazy lol

So you reccomend more than one then? I only have Neon's at the moment but plan to have silver hatchet, green frog, fighting fish (one obviously), guppies and mollies would they be ok with them?

Thank you so much you all just made my day B)
Gem x

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I'd definitely get more than 1 kuhli loach, they love each others company.

Also I notice you're from milton keynes, I've seen them for sale in the wyevale opposite xscape if you're thinking of a place to buy them from

 

[Bloo]

OMG thank you so much guys! 

Oswald looked exactly like bloozoo2's! Wow looks like I might be able to get one then afterall, I was starting to think I was going crazy lol

So you reccomend more than one then? I only have Neon's at the moment but plan to have silver hatchet, green frog, fighting fish (one obviously), guppies and mollies would they be ok with them?

Thank you so much you all just made my day  B)
Gem x

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Glad you got that confirmed. But Gem, don't even think about putting a male or female Betta in with the fish you are proposing there someone's going to have huge nipped fins and you're going to have many harassed fish there.
If you really want a Betta, give it it's own tank.

How large is your tank?. Remember Silver Hatchets are top level fish and need lots of free swimming space. They get up to 2.5" and are ideally kept in groups of 3 or more

With guppies and Mollies (remember Mollies can get to about 5") you are going to have loads of babies - are you prepared for that and can you deal with that ?

Just a few things to think about

 

[Maxim_Storm]

I'd definitely get more than 1 kuhli loach, they love each others company.

Also I notice you're from milton keynes, I've seen them for sale in the wyevale opposite xscape if you're thinking of a place to buy them from

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Thanks Fella yeah I hadn't seen them for sale anywhere else so thanks for that tip that's a huge help

Glad you got that confirmed. But Gem, don't even think about putting a male or female Betta in with the fish you are proposing there someone's going to have huge nipped fins and you're going to have many harassed fish there.

If you really want a Betta, give it it's own tank.

Sorry what is a Betta? Still a complete newbie so not sure which fish you mean )

How large is your tank?. Remember Silver Hatchets are top level fish and need lots of free swimming space. They get up to 2.5" and are ideally kept in groups of 3 or more

Our tank is a Juwel Vision 180 tank so its 180 litres, do you think that is big enough for Silver Hatchet?

With guppies and Mollies (remember Mollies can get to about 5") you are going to have loads of babies - are you prepared for that and can you deal with that ?

We do have a second tank we can set up should the need arise but your right it's definitely something to take into account.

Thank you I appreciate the advise it's invaluable for a learner like me

 

[Bloo]

A Betta (Betta Splendens) is (I think) what you are referring to as a "fighting fish".
But they really do need to be kept seperately - or singly in a community with suitable fish - but I'm afraid they do not go wtih guppies at all.
Yep a Juwel Vison 180 will be absolutely fine ! (I have one of those too )

This is one of my females:

and this is one of my males

 

[Maxim_Storm]

Just a couple more questions sorry )

Are Kuhli loach community fish? Do they eats flake or would they prefer frozen
food?

 

[Maxim_Storm]

A Betta (Betta Splendens) is (I think) what you are referring to as a "fighting fish".


Yep a Juwel Vison 180 will be absolutely fine ! (I have one of those too )

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I just checked on the net and yes I was meaning a Betta Splendens AKA Siamese Fighting Fish I think. Looks like I might have to give that one a miss I don't want my other fishes being picked on

 

[mandi]

Betta = Siamese fighting fish = Betta splendens. It's all the same fish.

And as bloozoo2 said, if you want a fighting fish (betta) get it a 2-5 gallon tank of its own, don't mix it in with the other fish. It will be much happier!

Hope that helps!

[EDIT:] Sorry you already got your question answered -- I don't type fast enough!!

 

[Bloo]

Just a couple more questions sorry  )

Are  Kuhli loach community fish? Do they eats flake or would they prefer frozen
food?

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For more info on Kuhli loaches, check out this section of the forum. But yes they are a lovely sociable commuity fish and would eat all of that

For more info on Bettas, check out this section of the forum.

Happy reading !

 

[Maxim_Storm]

Thank you I shall go and have a read

Thanks to all who have helped me on this thread