Planted Tanks With Burrowing Fish?

[keenonfish]

ok I really want a horseface loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchus) but as most of my tank is planted fine gravel I am worried it will uproot all my plants...

I have thought about a sand river for the fella sort of hoping to make that it's home, and keep it away from causing trouble as much as possible.?

Anyone here any experience with these or other burrowing critters?

Maybe there is a way to make it work?

 

[tuskancharger]

i got a few fish that like to dig about so i leave my plants in their little pots for the most part the fish dont seem to be able to topple them as easy this way and a few plants rooted into rocks failing that tie with fish line to rock bogwood etc

 

[Mikaila31]

I have two caecilians in my 55gal planted tank, it has about 3" of eco-complete for substrate. Both eels are about two feet long. They are know burrowers, I was told that it would be hard to maintain the tank with them in there. Though my spend most there time under a piece of driftwood sleeping, or move slowly around the tank. The female(aka troublemaker) does sometimes bury herself completely. It doesn't seem to bother the plants too much, they don't usually uproot. Though not all plants work. Aim for plants that grow well and root quickly or strongly. I have use cabomba, hygrophilia's, crypts, lotus(lily plants), star grass, swords.

When you do have diggers though, more plants will uproot after you've trimmed or planted new plants. Just keep replanting them, once they get rooted they will be fine. Also plant stems as deep as you can.

 

[keenonfish]

Thanks for the reply's folks. I think I know the answer really, but was hoping someone might chime in with personal experience and say 'no problem' or something like that.

Think I will leave the idea for now just seems everyone has got them in atm although some are selling long nose loaches and calling them horseface loaches - a warning to unsuspecting folk - these look the same but don't share the burrowing behavior but on the negative side do like to eat smaller fish like neons

Anyway I like your tank Mikaila and those caecilians look fantastic! When I first saw the thing I thought it looked like that cave monster in Empire Strikes Back

Olly.

 

[SuperColey1]

Deep substrate and established roots mean not a problem. even if there are a few that are 'nosed' loose I just put them back.

Burrowers not suitable for planted tanks? Don't be silly :

Schultzei Corys (black) x 6

Bolivian Rams x 4

Pitbull Plecs x 4

AC

 

[keenonfish]

Deep substrate and established roots mean not a problem. even if there are a few that are 'nosed' loose I just put them back.

Burrowers not suitable for planted tanks? Don't be silly :

Schultzei Corys (black) x 6

Bolivian Rams x 4

Pitbull Plecs x 4

AC

Well you see that's just what I wanted to here

 

[oatfish]

I have a horsefaced loach and a planted tank and have no problems at all, even with ground cover plants. During planting I removed him/her, let the roots establish and bingo!
He/she prefers hiding in the open areas of sand that I have and it's fun to try on spot the orange "eyebrows" peeping above the sand.
Get one!

 

[Ficious]

i have a 20 gallon planted with 3 khulie loaches...also once had a small spiny eel in it...never had a problem ever...a couple of valls would come undone everynow and then but nothing that would make me think twice about taking the fish out

 

[keenonfish]

ok thanks folks. I have decided to create a sort of sand river for one to try and keep him separate from the plants and see how things go!