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Is six really the magic number for loaches? Can they be kept in groups of three to four, or really do the need six? I've read that they are ok in smaller groups--that they don't have the need for large groups like tetras do.

I'd like personal experiences of people keeping varying amounts of loaches or data from the wild etc.

Thanks.

Last edited by solublefish at 13-Oct-2004 15:11

Loaches, like cories, are shoaling fish. Like cories, they do prefer to be kept in groups of six or more. The more company they have, the happier and less stressed they are. The "magic number" probably differs by species, but I'm pretty sure most loaches like being kept in good-sized groups.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

The more the merrier. Although, IME, loaches are not really what I wold describe as schoolers. Loose shoalers is more like it.

My 32 Clown Loaches of various sizes, some 7-8 inches, before the hurricanes caused their demise, always schooled together...

The smaller followed the larger everywhere.

The accepted comfort zone these days is six Clowns in a fairly large tank, perhaps 55 gallons and up.

--garyroland.

--Vero Beach, Florida.

I've got 7 in a 75 and they are always hanging together. Sometimes the all pile up in a corner and when they are out and about they all go over here then one will go over there and they all have to go see what it found. they really are cool fish, lots of fun to watch.

Get sum, the more the better, Mike

i agree with the more the merrier, they're not BAD in smaller numbers but they seem happier if there are more

solublefish

I dont think there is or will be a magic number.

Too many variations.
Type of loaches, size of tank, type of tank, (clowns without caves or their own areas would be not the best) filtration, and your experience.

Keith

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Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I'll be getting kuhli loaches sometime in the future...I was just curious as to what everyone thinks.

heh well kuhlis don't really school at all IMO, they seem to prefer lying in random places till food arrives. but saying that i have 7 kuhlis coz there so koolnot because they school

cfd

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IME loaches aren't really schoolers but they do like friends, I usually recommend at least three. [link=Loaches Online]http://www.loaches.com/index.html" style="COLOR: #FFFFC0[/link] is a great site for lots of info...love my loaches

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I think that depends entirely upon the species of Loach. There are some types of Botia that cannot be kept in a group of more than 1: Skunk Botia for example, highly aggressive towards their own kind, and to other fish as well.
Kuhli loaches are in my experience not schoolers, but would enjoy their own kind. I have 1 Kuhli Loach, 3 Yoyo Botia, 1 Queen Botia, 1 Polka Dot Botia, assorted in my 25 and 90g tanks. The YoYos are very friendly with each other, and my Queen and Polka Dot loaches are fast friends.
I dont think they need to be in a school of 6 or more. ! by itself is fine, but more is always better.
Also, If you want a fish you will see, Dont get Kuhlis. Sometimes I dont see mine for a month at a time.


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Definitely depends on the species. I have two queens-used to have three-who are always together; my five dwarf loaches (Botia sidthimunki) actually do school and are interesting because they spend as much time in the middle part of the tank as the bottom.

I think kuhli behavior depends on how many are together, their ages, and their indivdual personalities. Right now the only time I see my two small young kuhlis is when they venture into the floating anacharis. I have five in another tank-a combination of regular kuhlis and blacks-and frequently see them during the day.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean