Weather Loach Tank Size

[waldo]

I've been keeping a 25 gallon tall tank for quite some time with just a few danios in it. It was kind of boring to watch so I got a couple small weather loaches to liven things up. Now I'm afraid I'm pushing it with the size of tank I got, I'm sure these 2 will manage but I would love to add a third loach if I can find a golden some where. Would this be too crowded?

 

[Wills]

Weather loaches get to about 10 inches and are really really messy fish. I would take them out personally the tank is not suitable for them, have you had a look at khuli loaches? They are much more suited to your tank and are basically a smaller version of the weathers, they grow much smaller and come in a few different colour morphs/species some are gold some are black and others are black and gold stripes.

Wills

 

[waldo]

I'm aware of how big they get and I'm not worried about the mess, I have a filter that is rated for a 60 gallon tank and it can take what they dish out.
I can't remove them from the tank, I have no where else to keep them and the pet store won't take them back. I'd have to euthanize if I couldn't keep them.
I've had khuli before, they always died but the weather loaches I had in the past lived for years and years.

 

[mattlee]

I'm aware of how big they get and I'm not worried about the mess, I have a filter that is rated for a 60 gallon tank and it can take what they dish out.
I can't remove them from the tank, I have no where else to keep them and the pet store won't take them back. I'd have to euthanize if I couldn't keep them.
I've had khuli before, they always died but the weather loaches I had in the past lived for years and years.

the mess is really the last of the problems its the fishes adult size thats important. cant you advertise them in the classifieds section and give them a better chance?

 

[Wills]

Why ask then? Personally I think its really cruel to keep a 10 inch animal in such a small tank, it really does not matter what the filter is in this case its more tank room. If you cant do anything with them I guess your only option is to get a bigger tank

But in answer to your other question no dont get an other weather loach or any other fish you overstocked as is.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

I've been keeping a 25 gallon tall tank for quite some time with just a few danios in it. It was kind of boring to watch so I got a couple small weather loaches to liven things up. Now I'm afraid I'm pushing it with the size of tank I got, I'm sure these 2 will manage but I would love to add a third loach if I can find a golden some where. Would this be too crowded?

i have pretty much the exact same problem. i have 2 golden weather loaches in my 20 gallon long tank and i really don't know what to do with them. i bought them impulsively about 6 months ago. the only thing i can really do is give them back to the pet store... but im pretty sure that would not make their lives better. the only pet store around me that would take them would throw them in an overstocked bare 20 gallon tank with no other loaches. they probably only feed their tanks flakes too which means the loaches would probably starve. my guess is they'd either die in that tank or they'd be sold to some ignorant joe that will put them in a 10 gallon.

so while my setup might not be ideal, i think they're better off with me.

i dont know the details of your situation but good luck. i hear the 'wild' type tends to grow larger than the gold kind so thats a bummer. i definitely wouldn't get a third.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi waldo

I doubt that your loaches will reach 10" in an aquarium. However, they are fast swimmers and need length to swim in comfortably. I'd suggest you wait and see how the two you already have develop before adding any more.

 

[Wills]

I have to disagree with you inchworm, I kept a trio for over a year and they all got to 10 inches + I had one blind one and he got to just under 12 inches as the largest. I got them at about 4 inches and they grew to that size in that time. In the end I rehomed them because of the poo.

An other thought in this situation is as soon as some storms come to you, your going to get a lot of activity and a bit worried about jumping so make sure the lid is on tight.

 

[waldo]

Thanks for the advise, I won't get anymore. I would love to get a 55 gallon but thats out of the question so for the time being they are going to have to make due with a less then ideal sized tank.
I also feel that they have a better life with me then going back to the pet store or being sold on craigslist, they are clean, well fed and safe where they are.

My first loach that I had years ago was easily 10 inches and was the neatest fish ever. Would eat from my hand and liked to be petted.