Skunk Loaches

[nathanbarry]

Hello, I was looking for some advice on Skunk Loaches...I have recently set-up a 19 gallon tank and was thinking of what fish would be a good choice for it. I've got very drawn to the skunk loaches, they are cute! lol

I would like a bit of information on them and would like to know:-
How many would be a good choice?
Are they mostly a bottom-feeder or do they come up the top eat like Clowns?
Also, what do you think of them?

I saw some at my LFS at about 2-2.5" and was thinking I'd love some of those..hehe

Nathan

[lohachata]

while they really are cute;they are also meaner than a wet rattlesnake.i have seen them attack angelfish and others.i think that munki loaches are much better..botia sidthmunki.

[nathanbarry]

Yeah, I heard they were agressive but that doesn't bother me seeing as not many species of fish will be kept in the tank..
Are munki loaches - dwarf chain loaches by any way?? If they are, I very much like them but Skunk Loaches are better hehe
Are dwarf chain loaches hardy fish?

Thanks for your input
Nathan

[Suess00]

I would agree with getting Dwarf Chain Loaches instead of Skunk Loaches.. But here is some information on Skunk Loaches that should be helpfull to you and should answer some of your questions.


-Considering its relatively diminutive size, this is a very feisty loach species, which is not suitable for community aquariums. Must be maintained in groups of 5 or more in order to spread any aggression and to allow the fish to form a natural hierarchy.

-Tank-mates must be robust and fast-swimming. Can be kept with other moderately aggressive species such as Yasuhikotakia eos, Y. lecontei, Y. modesta and many of the Syncrossus (Tiger loach) species. Many fish-keepers report Skunk loaches to be a crepuscular species, which often remains hidden during the day

-It is not uncommon to observe this species creating burrows around or under rocks and other tight crevices. Ensure such structures are stable.


-Feeding: Will accept most brands of dry sinking catfish pellets, but should be offered a variety of frozen foods to supplement the diet - mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, and daphnia are usually taken with much enthusiasm. In the wild, this species feeds on mollusks, and as can probably be deduced, is a very effective snail eater.

[nathanbarry]

Thanks for the Info Suess, I've now decided that the Dwarf Chain Loaches would make a better choice...i dont want an agressive fish that hides all day lol
Have you by any chance got any info on them and also, are they very hardy?
I just wondered seeing as I once got told they are hard to keep...thanks

Nathan

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by nathanbarry

Also, what do you think of them?

nb:

Martin Thoene's treatise may be of some help.

I very much enjoy my Polka Dot Loaches which attain a length only slightly longer than the Skunk Loaches as well as my Striata Loaches.

TR

[Suess00]

Well glad that you turned away from the Skunk Loaches and for the dwarf chain loaches. Here is some information that might be helpful to ya.

-These fish thrive in large shoals, and 5 really is considered the absolute minumum number to keep together.

-The aquarium should have a fine soft sandy substrate in order to protect the fish's delicate sensory barbel area, and should be furnished with bogwood, rocky caves and aquatic plants. Excellent water quality with a moderate amount of flow should be provided. In nature Y. sidthimunki is found in a variety of habitats, some of which are flowing waters, others standing areas of water in flooded regions.

-Easy to feed - will accept most small foods offered. Sinking catfish pellets, micropellets, flake, algae wafers, and small-sized frozen foods such as Daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and mosquito larvae are taken with much enthusiasm.

-pH: 6.0 -7.5. Hardness: Soft and slightly acidic is best. Max dh: 12.

-75ºF to 82ºF (24-28°C)


Sadly, Y. sidthimunki is now considered as Critically Endangered in it's native Thailand, and is on the IUCN Red List for protection. Formerly numerous in the Kwai Yai, Kwai Noi and Mae Klong Rivers, no recent confirmed catches have been made.

Still often commands a relatively high price tag in many aquatic centres, and as this species must be kept in large numbers, consideration must be given to the fact that you may have to spend a little more to ensure that your group of fishes are happy. The investment will be repaid in full by the enjoyment you will receive from watching a happy shoal of fish actively swimming around your aquarium searching for tidbits.

I would have bought some myself but I could not find them anywhere

[nathanbarry]

Thanks for your help guys!
I went to my LFS today to see what they had in stock and what they thought would be a good choice for me, they had skunk loaches but no dwarf chains...once I had seen the skunk's I completely went off them seeing as they looked dull and most were hiding.
After spending AGES walking around there and doing a lot of research, I've decided I am going to go with 5-8 Kuhli Loaches along with something else....not sure what yet!

Have you got any idea what would be a good tankmate for the kuhli loaches??

Nathan

[Suess00]

I have three Kuhlis myself and am looking all over the place for 3 more they are hard to find around here i guess.

once I had seen the skunk's I completely went off them seeing as they looked dull and most were hiding.

Well hate to disapoint you Kuhli Loaches hide ALOT also. I had mine since they were extremely small and for the last 3 months i might have seen them a combined hour or less. I was kind of sad at the choice.

Kuhlis come out when its feeding time and mine stay underneath a cave that I have in the left corner of my tank and only come out when I drop food nearby or when I clean the tank. I will try buying 3 more to see if it will help make them more comfortable coming out.

Kuhli Loaches are a very friendly and comical fish that should be kept with Community fish. There should be no aggressive fish in the tank but i have 4 Clown Loaches in the tank and they get along great.

Kuhlis are very very hardy fish and are easy to feed, from algae wafers to frozen brime shrimp blood worms or sinking pelets.

But once they come out they are extremely fun to watch.

If you get some let me know how they do in numbers from 6-8 Im interested if that changes their behavior

[nathanbarry]

Yeah, I've had 1 Kuhli Loach in my 10 gallon for ages now...he's the first fish I got for the 10g and I wished he had more friends but the tank is near full now. He hides a lot but does come out at night when I feed...which is the time I get to see his funny, comical behaviour. I'm definately going to go with the kuhli's then and thanks for your help!
I'll let you know on them when they arrive in my new tank...hehe

Nathan