Do Loaches eat plants?

Plecostomus · 11-24-2006, 11:00 PM

Do any type of loaches eat plants? I've heard that clown loaches nip the stems of some plants, but I'm not sure if it's true, and I don't know if any other loaches eat or nip plants, do they?

**JustOneMore20** · 11-25-2006, 08:01 AM

I have Yoyo loaches and they don't eat my plants. They live in my 55g heavily planted tank. They are very active though and sometimes while chasing each other will mow down some plants, but they don't really hurt the plants. If I have freshly planted ones, they tend to get uprooted, but only because of the Yoyos' energy...and because of my Bristlenose.

I have heard that clown loaches might nip plants, but I've never heard of it being a problem.

BV77 · 11-25-2006, 08:24 AM

clown loaches don't eat plants, but they will poke holes in the leaves of your amazon swords....not because they are eating them, just because they can.

flamingo · 11-25-2006, 11:14 AM

Certain loaches will "nip", but not full out eat an entire plant. My cousin has (and has had) clown loaches with live plants-so far I haven't one even take a second glance at them.

**Damon** · 11-25-2006, 01:34 PM

Loaches do not eat plants. They may attack snails that are on the plants though.

flamingo · 11-25-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon

Loaches do not eat plants. They may attack snails that are on the plants though.

My old hillstream loach and kuhli loaches would nibble at them, but not really do much damage.

-just pointing that out

Plecostomus · 11-25-2006, 06:40 PM

Ok, thanks, I was just wondering since I'm going to get some kuhli loaches for my new 20gallon tank

girth vader · 02-06-2007, 11:24 PM

my clowns poke holes from time to time, but I thinks it's more because they are taking food off the leaves then actually eating the plant.

Sue Gremlin · 02-07-2007, 04:53 AM

I had a pair of silver dollars that I would feed a lettuce leaf to every few days to keep them off of my plants, and my clown loach learned that it was yummy and would totally pig out on it. He'd poke holes in it and would also scrape off the surface. I could hear him smacking and gnashing his teeth.

11-24-2006, 11:00 PM	#1
Plecostomus Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Age: 15 Posts: 81	Do Loaches eat plants? Do any type of loaches eat plants? I've heard that clown loaches nip the stems of some plants, but I'm not sure if it's true, and I don't know if any other loaches eat or nip plants, do they?

11-25-2006, 08:01 AM	#2
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,571	I have Yoyo loaches and they don't eat my plants. They live in my 55g heavily planted tank. They are very active though and sometimes while chasing each other will mow down some plants, but they don't really hurt the plants. If I have freshly planted ones, they tend to get uprooted, but only because of the Yoyos' energy...and because of my Bristlenose. I have heard that clown loaches might nip plants, but I've never heard of it being a problem. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

11-25-2006, 11:14 AM	#4
flamingo One Word: Croutons. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 17 Posts: 1,899	Certain loaches will "nip", but not full out eat an entire plant. My cousin has (and has had) clown loaches with live plants-so far I haven't one even take a second glance at them. __________________ If you put "u" instead of typing out the actual, shocking, three letter word... i'm not going to read your ramblings. I'm so behind it's not even funny.

11-25-2006, 01:34 PM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Loaches do not eat plants. They may attack snails that are on the plants though. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-06-2007, 11:24 PM	#8
girth vader Hey Now! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 33 Posts: 616	my clowns poke holes from time to time, but I thinks it's more because they are taking food off the leaves then actually eating the plant. __________________ I have a tank!!! A nice one too!

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11-25-2006, 08:24 AM	#3
BV77 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 486	clown loaches don't eat plants, but they will poke holes in the leaves of your amazon swords....not because they are eating them, just because they can.

11-25-2006, 06:40 PM	#7
Plecostomus Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Age: 15 Posts: 81	Ok, thanks, I was just wondering since I'm going to get some kuhli loaches for my new 20gallon tank

02-07-2007, 04:53 AM	#9
Sue Gremlin Fishfan Join Date: Jan 2007 Age: 45 Posts: 131	I had a pair of silver dollars that I would feed a lettuce leaf to every few days to keep them off of my plants, and my clown loach learned that it was yummy and would totally pig out on it. He'd poke holes in it and would also scrape off the surface. I could hear him smacking and gnashing his teeth.

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