Suitable Home For Algae Eater?

[dinsdale]

Good morning fishfans, I am hoping to upgrade my tank some time in the future and, as I am going for a more natural look, the gaudy castle is going the journey. Trouble is, it's currently home to 2 Loaches. They're not shy at all cos they're always out foraging but they do like their castle. The other day when the wife dragged me into a pet shop to look at rodents, I saw a stone cave used by axolotls. Despite being plastic, it looked quite realistic but they didn't sell it in the shop. Can anyone suggest anywhere to get something similar or would a real rock formation be better?

Thanks - dins.

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

Welcome to the forum!

Chinese algae eaters are not the best tank mates for slow moving fish, as they age they become aggressive and suck the eyes out their tankmates.
What are these loaches?

 

[dinsdale]

Thank you Mr. Cyclids, The 'loaches' are indeed Chinese Algae eaters. Sorry my nomenclature isn't up to scratch. I easily get confused, especially with bottom feeders. Didn't know they were so aggressive. That's quite disappointing as I've had a pair of them for about 3 years and they don't seem to bother the others but they can sometimes chase each other. To their credit, they keep my tank in pristine condition. I'll just have to keep tabs on them and keep them wafered up. I'm looking to get a 350L soon which is going to be well planted. Maybe the extra space will keep them sedate.
I was hoping to get another plec or some corys too but I'm guessing that will not be a good idea either.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[soybean]

You can easily make your own rock cave, stacking up bits of slate and the like. Fairly cheap from fish shops and garden centres, etc.

As those loaches get older they'll get more and more territorial, you might have to consider rehoming one. Drives me mad that they sell these things so tiny and innocuously to people who don't know what they're really getting!

Obviously the larger the tank, the better.

 

[dinsdale]

Yeah, I think a rock formation would probably look the best. Will the stones have to be glued together first? I don't like rehoming fish because I feel like I'm passing my problems onto someone else. There must be loads of poor fish kicked out of their home for getting too big, or in my case, violent.

 

[soybean]

Well if you advertised it with its proper name and behaviour etc people can make their own choice. It's perfectly possible to keep these fish! Just need their own space and lots of it.

Whether or not you glue the rocks together depends how snugly they fit really. If they're weighty enough it should be ok without glue, otherwise you could use a few blobs of aquarium sealant. Of course glue means you can't rearrange it every other week, if you're anything like me...

 

[dinsdale]

I'll keep an eye for out for some suitable rock types.
Thank you all for your advice.

dins.

 

[Steve GT]

i dont want to speak too soon but i too heared (after i was sold it) that the sucking loaches were aggressive etc etc iv had mine a long time now and he still seems really chilled. i have him in with angels as well and i was told anything flat sided he'll go for first but he just chills by the glass mainly so im not sure there as aggressive as some people are led to believe

Just my observation though i might just have a good one some might be little gits im not sure

 

[dinsdale]

i dont want to speak too soon but i too heared (after i was sold it) that the sucking loaches were aggressive etc etc iv had mine a long time now and he still seems really chilled. i have him in with angels as well and i was told anything flat sided he'll go for first but he just chills by the glass mainly so im not sure there as aggressive as some people are led to believe

Just my observation though i might just have a good one some might be little gits im not sure

Thanks Steve, that's encouraging. Hope my two are well behaved as well.

 

[Steve GT]

at the end of the day if he gets aggressive il take the right steps to get him somewhere else but hes fine for now. Plus the guys a damm good cleaner so why should i get rid of him