Is there a loach that can go in a 10 gal

gale

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I'm going to set up a 10 gal tank and want to try sand in it. Is there a loach that can live in a 10g? If so, what other fish get along well with it? I also have a 20g but it has a gravel bottom and I'm not planning to change it. I will probably be switching some fish to the 10g when I get it done but not sure what yet. Here's what I currently own-they are in the 20g tank:

2 cherry barbs
1 male molly (will probably get a couple of females in 2 weeks or so)
1 albino cory cat (I am going to get him a couple of companions on wednesday)

would any of those get along with a loach? Do loaches like having other loach friends in the tank with them? btw when we had our tank up a few years ago we had a weather loach (dojo or something like that) and it was a lot of fun.

eta: I forgot to add, I am going to get some oto cats (probably 2 per tank-is that about right?) once we get some algae going.
 
The only one I acn think of is Botia sidthimunki (dwarf loach)
Their max adult size is 5.5cm, they are fairly common so you shouldn't have a problem finding them.
 
Thanks! Did a google search and it's a gorgeous fish. Hopefully I can find them around here. :thumbs:
 
The-Wolf said:
The only one I acn think of is Botia sidthimunki (dwarf loach)
Their max adult size is 5.5cm, they are fairly common so you shouldn't have a problem finding them.
but round our way they are well over £10 each!!
(when we were looking we only found one shop that had some and they were £16.

we went with ladder loaches instead.
 
Kuhli loachs work in a 10 gal. They aren't the average loach shape but they are quite nifty looking. I have a half dozen of them in one of my tanks and they are always squiggling around! :lol:
 
Skunk Loaches! every one always forget these magnificent botias.They ony get to be about 4in or 9cm but they can get agressive with age though it is usualy between themselves.
 
i think 4" is too big for a 10g. unless it's a kuhli...they're more bendy. not sure bout them though. botia sidthimunki *is* pretty expensive but up here tehy're only £7 so maybe you'll be lucky. :D
 
clutterydrawer said:
i think 4" is too big for a 10g. unless it's a kuhli...they're more bendy. not sure bout them though. botia sidthimunki *is* pretty expensive but up here tehy're only £7 so maybe you'll be lucky. :D
botia sidthimunki are £4.95 each in my lfs :p
 
smithrc said:
The-Wolf said:
The only one I acn think of is Botia sidthimunki (dwarf loach)
Their max adult size is 5.5cm, they are fairly common so you shouldn't have a problem finding them.
but round our way they are well over £10 each!!
(when we were looking we only found one shop that had some and they were £16.

we went with ladder loaches instead.
They're pretty expencive around here in New York too, they have to be in groups as well :lol:
 
I would try khulis but they have a problem. they dont want to live. Trust me i work at a pet store and when we get them in they died within a few hours. we try everything to try to keep them alive. Red tail loaches are good too.
 
That's true. Lately there's been few batches of healthy Khulis in the U.S. though I got lucky and found 5 of them at a PetCo last month and all 5 are still alive in my 10. My other LFS has gotten them but they live at most a few days and then die on them. Strangely enough they're considered a hardy fish.
 
I recently got some botia rostrata also known as the sergeant major loach and from what I read they only get to be 2 to 3 inches max. They would fit fine in a 10 gal. And, they are very accomplished snailers -- destroyed the small (5-15) population I had in about 3 days.
 
Bignose said:
I recently got some botia rostrata also known as the sergeant major loach and from what I read they only get to be 2 to 3 inches max. They would fit fine in a 10 gal. And, they are very accomplished snailers -- destroyed the small (5-15) population I had in about 3 days.
Hey you're not far from me either-about an hour's drive. Which store did you buy them from?? The lfs that I've been buying from is the other direction but still an hour away.

thanks everyone, for the advice. I've written down the names of all of them and will call the store when I'm ready to add them. :)
 

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