Multies And Loaches?

[fishstick]

I need to get rid of an explosion of tiny round brown snails. The obvious thing would be to get some loaches but as I also have 3 shelldwelling cichlids in my community tank I am doubtful about the mix. Any suggestions? I have been endlessly syphoning out the snails but the numbers go up all the time.

 

[Alien_spawn]

I need to get rid of an explosion of tiny round brown snails. The obvious thing would be to get some loaches but as I also have 3 shelldwelling cichlids in my community tank I am doubtful about the mix. Any suggestions? I have been endlessly syphoning out the snails but the numbers go up all the time.

I've had clownloaches (medium sized) and malawi cichlids in the same tank in the past and they have got on fine if thats any help?

 

[fishstick]

Yes thanks Alien Spawn, did you do any thing special to your water? Mine is hard- good for multies but not so comfortable for loaches?

 

[Alien_spawn]

They were fine with malawi water conditions (hardish water) , I didnt have to change anything, i had them for a couple of yrs in the malawi tank. although ideal water conditions for them are soft to medium it worked.

the only draw back i would say is that Clown loaches quite easily get white spot, so i would be careful if they dont like the conditions they will def come out with whitespot. I would keep an eye on them at first just to make sure. I never had this issue but have heard of this with CL's

the cichlids in the tank never touched them nor did the Clown loaches touch the cichlids, as they are more than able to look after themselves.


never tried with other loaches tho, and i would try to get some CL medium sized

 

[Snowie]

What kind of shellies? They are usually agressive and inhabit the same region of the tank as the loaches.

Best thing to do would be to put the shellies in another tank, let some loaches live for a week in the shellie tank and remove them once they have eaten the snails.

 

[Griz]

Multies can be extremely agressive little fish. Generally it's not advisable to have tankmates of any kind with them as they will be harrassed, especially in smaller tanks. They can sometimes be successfully mixed in larger tanks with other larger Africans that can take care of themselves. How big is this tank and what are the other inhabitants?

 

[fishstick]

Hi Griz When I bought my neolamprologus multifaciatus I was told that they would be ok in a community tank. They were aggressive in the defence of their shell area but there were about 25 small phantoms, lampeyes, danios in the tank before them, more confident, but who quickly learned to live with the multies: there were small ritual skirmishes, all continued perky.I did wonder however if they should be on their own but when I moved the multies to another tank (cycled, set up with their own shells) they sulked and drooped. After six days I relented and moved them back, they were unmistakably pleased darting about and spitting sand everywhere. I concluded they needed the presence of the other fish to stimulate their defensive instincts. They have had fry recently and the true community fish continue in good order: there is plenty of room for everyone. I have 180l /47gal.

Hi Snowie I have decided to syphon out the snails!

 

[Griz]

It's likely the size of your tank that is the reason for your success in keeping them with tankmates. Also, they are quick enough fish to keep out of the Multies' way. Multies are often kept in 10-20 gal tanks and in those cases, tankmates wouldn't likely work out very well. Your tank would be substantially deeper (probably 18" or 24"?) than a standard 10, 15 or 20 gal which are usually 12" deep. I'd love to have some other fish in my 15 gal but according to everything I've read, it would be a bad idea in a tank that small. Best of luck with the snail infestation.