Loaches

[random919]

Hey,
Which loaches eat snails. i know the clown loaches eat them but i think are too big for my 70L tank. I also would like to know, whether once the snails are gone, can they eat normal food? is there special food for them?
I wanted to know some basoc information on Khuli Loaches. I am interested in getting some.
My background information on my tanks is: I have 2 tanks (both 70L). one with 22 molly fry, a female molly and 2 female platies in. not really planted but has some plants and ornaments. Substrate is small - medium smooth coloured gravel. The other tank has 2 male warf gouramis, 2 abino cories, 3 mollies and 4 rummy nose tetras. Reasonably planted and has ornaments. Substrate is small black and white gravel. Both are fine on ammonia (0), nitite (0), Nitrate (15 - 20) and pH(7.5). temperature is about 26 in each tank. Will they go with any loaches?
Also, any advice on the special needs of my fihs, please say as all advice is welcomed!!
Thanks
random919

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, no loaches do well on gravel, it really is best to keep them on sand.

Your tanks are too small for loaches, apart from kuhlis or dwarf chain loach. I don't keep either, so have no idea if they eat snails or not!

 

[Baccus]

I have a largish group of Khuli loaches with rams horn snails, the snail population doesn't seem to be getting depleted so I am guessing if the Khuli's do eat snails it is only the smallest babies and or eggs. I recently got myself some dwarf chain loaches and so far they have not shown over whelming interest in snails but are more than happy to eat all the other foods I feed my fish, they might need training like my Pakastani loaches did to get them in the habit of hunting snails.

Once the Pakastani loaches got the knack of sucking the snails out of the shells they where a fantastic snail hit team.

Also another tip with loaches with regards to tank they need a good sized tank footprint (base) longer instead of higher sides.
And dwarf chain loaches are not only pretty as a school/ group they like being out and about and mixing with the other mid water swimming fish rather than hiding all the time

 

[Crossfire]

Try an Assassin Snail. They are not aesexual, so if you only have one it can't reproduce. They can keep a snail population under control.

 

[fluttermoth]

^^ Why didn't I think of that?! I have assassin snails!

They can be carrying eggs when you get them, of course, but whatever, they don't breed like the pest snails do. A much better option than snail-eating fish.

 

[panda_cory]

I had a snail problem in 2 of my tanks and got a zebra loach for each tank and about a week later I have no snails.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Welcome to the forum panda cory!

And Random, your PH is too high for yur tetras, cories! They need neutral or lower PH.

 

[ZoddyZod]

And Random, your PH is too high for yur tetras, cories! They need neutral or lower PH.

7.5 too high for Rummynose? Not really. Although most South American tetra come from soft waters with low pH, this does not mean that they are completely incompatible with slightly higher pH and harder waters in our aquaria.

 

[fluttermoth]

I had a snail problem in 2 of my tanks and got a zebra loach for each tank and about a week later I have no snails.

Yes, zebra loach will eat snails, but they do also deserve a proper home, and that means a group of at least six, as they are very social. It's really not fair to keep them singly.

It is, in general, a very bad idea to buy any fish to do a job for you. Assassin snails are a far, far better option.

 

[Baccus]

If assissin snails are not available (as is my case assissin snails are not in Australia full stop and never will be allowed in) then a correct sized group of loaches in a suitable tank is a good option. Its just a shame that loach types are a a bit limited due to rareness in the trade, and the eventual adult size of quite a few loaches which are often social.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Meant cories, i myself have kept rummynose in high ph

 

[ZoddyZod]

Meant cories, i myself have kept rummynose in high ph

it's absoloutely fine for Corydoras aeneus as well. I have kept this species in 7.8pH for around 3yrs, seeing them spawn on multiple occassions.