Zebra Loach Question

[PhatRam32]

I bought my Zebra Loach about a week ago and all he does is hide in the underwater cave structure however, I have spotted him at night when the lights go out and can be seen swimming around the bottom of the tank. I heard they are nocturnal but, is this normal behavior for this fish? I usually drop blood worms and pellets right before I turn the fish light off.. I'm assuming he is eating... Also, how often should be fed?

Just want to make sure my fish is not sick or anything.

 

[fluttermoth]

He's probably lonely; loaches are very social fish, and he'll be wondering where all his buddies are, and probably thinking they've been eaten by some predator lurking somewhere, so that will make him feel very shy! You should get him some friends, if your tank is big enough (how big is it?)

Three or four times a week is enough to be putting food in after lights out, just for him (of course, I say 'him', but it could be a girl; there's no way of telling!). He'll pick about and find enough food the rest of the time.

Incidentally, you shouldn't feed bloodworm more than once a week; it's not very nutritious, for a start, and it has a slightly laxative effect, so is best kept as a treat, not part of a staple diet.

 

[LongS]

He needs pals in there with him. Again loaches are sociable and will be more active with more than one of them about. Also the more hiding places and caves and crevices there are the more you will see them.

 

[PhatRam32]

Semi funny.. so i started feeding the other fish flakes literally a few minutes ago and bam zebra loach comes out of nowhere and is swimming like crazy! I've never seen him this active this early! Wahoo! But you are right I may buy him a buddy down the road but he seems to be making pals with the dojo loach!

 

[m1lky12]

I was in the same boat as you and had a single Zebra Loach for a few years until I upgraded my tank and found out they needed to be in larger groups. I added another 3 in and looking to add a few more and you can see the difference in their behavior, much more social and visible in the tank, don't think I've had a more entertaining fish to watch than a group of loaches! Ideally they should be in groups of 5+ to keep them happy, but like Fluttermouth said it's down to how big your tank is.

 

[LongS]

Trust me, get a group. You won't regret watching them squabble for a favorite piece of wood or rock. Friendly little critters. Most of the Botia species are the same i believe. I have a group of Botia Histrionica and they are fascinating to watch.

If you do get more try to avoid a pair, this will avoid the weaker specimen being bullied by the stronger. Get at least three but more if you have the room.

 

[PhatRam32]

Trust me, get a group. You won't regret watching them squabble for a favorite piece of wood or rock. Friendly little critters. Most of the Botia species are the same i believe. I have a group of Botia Histrionica and they are fascinating to watch.

If you do get more try to avoid a pair, this will avoid the weaker specimen being bullied by the stronger. Get at least three but more if you have the room.

Thats the issue is space. I have a 15 gallon hexagon tank. I am almost at capacity with 12 fish.

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you list all the fish you have in this tank, please?

I'm afraid you may have a lot of unsuitable fish in there; the zebra and weather loach for starters

 

[PhatRam32]

Could you list all the fish you have in this tank, please?

I'm afraid you may have a lot of unsuitable fish in there; the zebra and weather loach for starters

1 dojo loach
1 zebra loach
2 red serpae tetra
1 guppy
3 swordtails
1 bushynose pleco
1 pictus catfish
1 female betta
1 whiteskirt tetra

I know its quite a wierd mix but all the fish seem to be getting along just fine. Ever since I made my post about the Zebra Loach he has been more social as ever. I guess it took him a week or so to adapt the other fish and his/her surroundings.

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid a lot of those fish are going to grow too big for your tank (the two loach, the plec, the pictus) and lots of them are social fish (the two loaches, the serpaes, the pictus, the skirt tetra) that really need to be in groups of at least six of their own species

 

[dougie]

I'm afraid a lot of those fish are going to grow too big for your tank (the two loach, the plec, the pictus) and lots of them are social fish (the two loaches, the serpaes, the pictus, the skirt tetra) that really need to be in groups of at least six of their own species

Agree with Fluttermoth here, excuse for an upgrade

 

[PhatRam32]

I'm afraid a lot of those fish are going to grow too big for your tank (the two loach, the plec, the pictus) and lots of them are social fish (the two loaches, the serpaes, the pictus, the skirt tetra) that really need to be in groups of at least six of their own species

Agree with Fluttermoth here, excuse for an upgrade

True.. Well time to save up! I appreciate the knowledge!

 

[super-MAGuire]

I'm afraid a lot of those fish are going to grow too big for your tank (the two loach, the plec, the pictus) and lots of them are social fish (the two loaches, the serpaes, the pictus, the skirt tetra) that really need to be in groups of at least six of their own species

Agree with Fluttermoth here, excuse for an upgrade

True.. Well time to save up! I appreciate the knowledge!

out of curiosity... if you dont mind me asking, did you buy them all at the same time, from the same shop? Or did the shop advise you that them fish will be fine in your tank or anything?

Seems a bit of a crazy mish mash of fish you have got their.

 

[PhatRam32]

I'm afraid a lot of those fish are going to grow too big for your tank (the two loach, the plec, the pictus) and lots of them are social fish (the two loaches, the serpaes, the pictus, the skirt tetra) that really need to be in groups of at least six of their own species

Agree with Fluttermoth here, excuse for an upgrade

True.. Well time to save up! I appreciate the knowledge!

out of curiosity... if you dont mind me asking, did you buy them all at the same time, from the same shop? Or did the shop advise you that them fish will be fine in your tank or anything?

Seems a bit of a crazy mish mash of fish you have got their.

If had a lot of these fish for quite some time. My bumblebee goby died so decided to buy a zebra loach. First fish I have bought in 8 months. They all seem to be doing just fine.