Snail Eaters And Catfish

[dubgirl]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum and have a 3ft Juwel Rio 180 litre tank. I hoping someone can give me some advice as to some suitable fish that will eat snails. I think a clown loach is probably going to get 2 big for my tank, so are there any smaller alternatives. I am also hoping that someone can give me some suggestions for a suitable catfish. I dont want a big 'un as trying for a peaceful community tank.

Ps, last question, sorry if this is too much, but would lighting cause the temp to rise excessively in the tank. My temp is set around 25 C but by the time the lighting goes off it is usually 26.7/8. is this too much of an increase? also is 25 about right for the set temp?
thanks

 

[mark.w.jones]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum and have a 3ft Juwel Rio 180 litre tank. I hoping someone can give me some advice as to some suitable fish that will eat snails. I think a clown loach is probably going to get 2 big for my tank, so are there any smaller alternatives. I am also hoping that someone can give me some suggestions for a suitable catfish. I dont want a big 'un as trying for a peaceful community tank.

Ps, last question, sorry if this is too much, but would lighting cause the temp to rise excessively in the tank. My temp is set around 25 C but by the time the lighting goes off it is usually 26.7/8. is this too much of an increase? also is 25 about right for the set temp?
thanks

Yo yo loach and dwarf chain loach are 2 good smaller options. Check out http/www.loaches.com/ great website, runs a little slow but loads of good info. from loach experts. For smaller catfish you can't go wrong with a bristle nosed plec in my opinion. A Bulldog plec is also another consideration as they stay small as well.

Yes lights can make that much of a difference. 25 degrees is about right for most species of tropical fish so you may want to drop your heater to 24 to allow for the gain in heat from the lights through the day.

 

[dubgirl]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I will turn the heater down and see what happens. I like the idea of a bristle nose plec, but not seen many in LFS. How many loaches would be appropriate?

 

[mark.w.jones]

Depends on what else you have in there or plan to stock. The Dwarf Pygmy Chain loach only reach around 2" so you have room for 4 or 5 which you should aim for really if you want to go for this species as its a social one and needs the comfort of a school. I do not know how good a snail eater they are though having never kept them. Please research rather than rely on my heresay.

 

[dubgirl]

Hi thanks for the reply, I will do a bit of reseach into the chain loaches including the dwarf pygmy and go from there.