I Just Wanna Kill This Loach!

[wwestar2000]

Oh i forgot it did say at wm that it can be aggresive within its own species. OHfeeshy Those measurements way to exadurated. I can believe 6 inches but 12 is over the top.

 

[OohFeeshy]

OK... lets look at the info on hand, shall we?

ive seen the loach come out of the ornamant and chase her

Even with that i might be exagerating because i only ever see its head. Very seldomly he will flah out one whole and into another

Coincides with

This is a hardy but rather shy loach that usually hides away during the day

ive seen the loach come out of the ornamant and chase her

Coincides with

However, when kept in small numbers, it can become agressive and should be carefully watched when introduced into a tank

Please advise your readers that the orange-finned loach (Blue Botia) is a dangerous threat towards smaller fishes

And you said

U just cant trust walmart.

When they said 4", yet two very reliable sources (ie, Wolf and the best loach resource on the net) say otherwise...

And ive had it about 6 months now and i got it 4 inches and it still 4 inches.

If its anything like some other loaches, growing speed is slow... Few fish grow much over a 6 month period, especially when beign cramped it... A 4" fish in a 10g=not a good idea.

EDIT-

OHfeeshy Those measurements way to exadurated. I can believe 6 inches but 12 is over the top.

And what about clown loaches? They can reach 12" given correct tank size and enough time to grow. I believe someone has photos from a public aquarium with 12" clown loaches.

And Wolf, you haven't been on chat for ages

 

[The-Wolf]

firstly let get this straight;
is this the fish you are talking about?
click thumbnails for larger images

 

[sylvia]

Botia modesta does get to 12" Look at the pics: http/www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_modesta.html Is that your fish?
It is no surprise you are having aggression issues. The inch per gallon guideline only applies to tiny fish such as neon tetras and does not take into acount aggression, territoriality, schooling behaviour, breeding behaviour, physical space, activity levels or pretty much any other parameter besides size. It doesn't even consider that a neon tetra is not only shorter than a keyhole, it's also skinnier.
Keyhole cichlids don't change sex. You are under this impression simply because you had immature fish and had not sexed them accurately. When they breed, they become territorial - all be it less than most other cichlids - and they should never be kept in something as small as a 10 gallon. In fact, very few fish that grow over 3" are suitable for a 10 gallon. The keyholes need to be in a minnimum of 20 gallons.
Botia modesta (your loach) is also a fin nipper and a rather aggressive species. They are not suited to small tanks - not only because of size, but also because of behaviour - and you should move that fish out or return it to your LFS right away. Considering their size, they need a somewhat larger tank than you have at the moment.

edit: I think The Wolf and OohFeeshy have this covered

 

[andyw823]

A place near me in manchester UK has 3 Clown loaches that are approx 20 Inches Long!!! I thought they were false until its eye moved, i then noticed the price £195. They are very old and have been shiped accross from somewhere in asia. The owner thinks they were used as breeders. I feel sorry for them as the tank there in isnt very suited.

 

[mikev]

Those measurements way to exadurated. I can believe 6 inches but 12 is over the top.

1. Most fish grow much faster at the beginning, then slow down. With polkadot loaches (the other fish on Wolf's pic), for example, this happens at about 2" (max size 4"). Probably the same pattern.

2. Often, fish in a small tank will not grow as it should. This is not healthy.

3. 12" is probably max size observed in nature, not in a tank. Which still means that you should have a tank large enough so it can grow to its natural size, even if it less than 12"....

Consider either getting a large tank or TheWolf's offer...

 

[diademhill]

Oh i forgot it did say at wm that it can be aggresive within its own species. OHfeeshy Those measurements way to exadurated. I can believe 6 inches but 12 is over the top.

I've sen these at a good 12" size. I've owned them at 9" ( this is SL - not including tails) If one has stayed 4" it is stunted - which is not surprising in a tiny tank.
Think how often you see 3" clown loaches sold as XL ? - mine got to 12"