Some Kuhli loach questions!!

[BettaFishGirl]

I really want to key some Kuhli loaches for my 10g tank with tetras, and I know the basic care, but I have some questions:

How many should I get with the neon tetras I'm moving in? I was thinking 3-4?

Is fine white sand ok for them?

Can I feed them weekly algae wafers?

Are they compatible with tetras and shrimp?

Thank you guys!!!

 

[Magnum Man]

I think mine eat smaller shrimp

 

[JuiceBox52]

Ten gallons is much too small for Khulis (and neons tetras, but I know you’re trying your best to move them out of the 5 gallon and that’s better)

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Even for one or two?? It's going to be a densely planted tank with lots of hard scape and hiding places. Almost all of the websites said that they would be great on a 10g but you guys are more trustworthy so I will go off of what you say.

 

[sharkweek178]

Even for one or two?? It's going to be a densely planted tank with lots of hard scape and hiding places. Almost all of the websites said that they would be great on a 10g but you guys are more trustworthy so I will go off of what you say.

They're a shoaling fish. They need to be in a larger group. 10-12. You can try to keep fewer but you'll never see them. They'll be hiding all the time because they'll be scared.

 

[JuiceBox52]

They're a shoaling fish. They need to be in a larger group. 10-12. You can try to keep fewer but you'll never see them. They'll be hiding all the time because they'll be scared.

And their health will suffer for it

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Ok, thanks for the advice. Are there any other bottom feeling fish similar to them that can be kept in a 10g? If not that fine too, I have my shrimps

 

[Essjay]

Can I feed them weekly algae wafers?

Even if they were suitable for 10 gallons, they are not algae eaters.

From Seriously Fish
"Chiefly a micropredator sifting mouthfuls of substrate through the mouth and gills from which insect larvae, small crustaceans and suchlike are extracted with a proportion of the natural diet also likely to comprise organic detritus and plant material from the gut contents of prey.

In the aquarium it will accept sinking dried foods but should also be offered regular meals of live and frozen Daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm, micro worm, grindal worm, etc."

SF also gives the minimum tank size as having a footprint of 24 x 12 inches, and that's if they were the only fish in the tank. With other fish as well they need bigger.

 

[Magnum Man]

Not going to dispute the “normal” group size recommendations I have 3 coolies in my Angel 45… pretty large pebbles in that tank, and they live in the pebbles…. When I got them, they were tiny… in just a few months, they have grown to as big or bigger than their maximum size listed, they eat up any excess food that goes down into the rocks, and assuming some small bladder snails that showed up with some Java ferns… and all of my smaller shrimp have disappeared…. They seem to be thriving and healthy, and never seen in a group… they are seen as individuals swimming through and around the pebbles, and spend the bulk of the day hunting down in the pebbles

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Thanks for the help!