Livebearers/Cory Friendly Loach?

[Katalyst]

Is there such an animal? I've read up on them in the past, but never had a community tank to put them in before now. I sure could use some pest snail control in a few tanks, plus I think they are pretty cute. I was looking at clown loaches a few days ago but the lfs manager wasn't sure what they would do to my cories and livebearers.

If anyone could suggest a few types I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!

[hp10BII]

If I had a spare big tank, I would like to have a small school of Clown loaches. Could be a little rambunctious at night when they go looking for food, especially when they put on a fair size.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus

A school of Kuhli loaches would be fun to watch...not sure how they'd do on the pest snails.

[ENZO]

I've kept clown loaches, zebra loaches, yoyo loaches, kuhli loaches with cories and livebearers and never had problems.

[Katalyst]

They'd be going into a 90 gallon but I think I will look for something a little smaller. Those clowns sure are cute though.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Yoyo loaches are pretty cool and stay smaller than clowns. They are supposed to eat snails, though mine never did...

[Melody]

Yup, the Yo Yo Loaches would be my first choice. They're not aggressive and I've never seen the beat of how fast they clean up pest snails. Mr. GP must have fed his too well....lol. They especially like the Physids.

You couldn't keep your Brig's in there of course, but otherwise they'd be fine. I loved mine, very interesting fish.

Definitly do your research before purchasing a Loach though - many are semi-aggressive at best.

[jordonsmum]

I have five clown loaches, a kuhli loach and a horse face loach in my 125gal with livebearers and corys and everyone seems to stick to themselves. I've made sure that there are TONS of caves and plants and slate to hide in so everyone has their own space. That seems to make lots of difference.

[ENZO]

Melody I had a yoyo loach that was very agressive it even tried to kill my clown loach. It was like watching a kitten go after a grizzly bear though lol.

[Melody]

Like most fish, there are always exceptions when it comes to higher aggression levels. I had a snakeskin Guppy that would beat other males into the substrate until he killed them. :wideeyed:

[Katalyst]

Just when I think I've got it narrowed down! I've found quite a few that are endangered or close to it. Now I just need to match temp and pH requirements. And when I finally do that it'll be some ridiculous fish that hasn't been seen in the hobby in 20 years I'm sure :laugh:. Just 'cause

I wanted to start some sort of endangered project anyways.

[WaterPond]

I'm going to look away from the botia species and recommend hroseface loaches. Absolutely wonderful fish.

[Melody]

They are a very cool looking loach. I'm not sure if they get into eating snails though, that's usually your Botias.

[Katalyst]

I've been looking online, there are a few I'm interested in. But it'll have to wait a few more weeks at the very least, most of my qt's are filled or reserved for something already. Tommorrow I'm going to a nice nice gents house who happens to have an amazing collection of cories for sale as well as odd ball livebearers. I'm almost afraid to go. :laugh:

[Melody]

Take a friend Missy! Me! LOL OK that's not what I meant, but don't be wandering around into people's houses without someone with you. I learned that one the hard way.

Otherwise, have fun!

[Katalyst]

Take a friend Missy! Me! LOL OK that's not what I meant, but don't be wandering around into people's houses without someone with you. I learned that one the hard way.

Otherwise, have fun!

I would take you in a heart beat! I won't be able to take anyone, I've been abandoned again. I do know a fair amount of people who have bought and dealt with him in the past. I could stick a lead pipe in a pair of crutches lol. I guess I could take one of the 90 billion knives that are in this house. Hmmmm C Trooper has a collection worth thousands, selling knives while someone is away= lotsa nice fish!

All teasing aside I'll be fine....And if not look for me I'll be in a pit somewhere placing lotion in a basket or getting the hose. :laugh:

I'm fighting the urge to swing by Doug's house as well.

I really do need constant supervision. :rofl:

[Melody]

Nobody knows anyone online, they just think they do. At least make sure that someone knows exactly where you're going, address & all that. OK I'll stop now. :rolleyes:

[Katalyst]

Nobody knows anyone online, they just think they do. At least make sure that someone knows exactly where you're going, address & all that. OK I'll stop now. :rolleyes:

Already done, promise.

[CACAdmin]

Good, glad to hear it. :yes: And, follow your gut instinct, no matter what anyone has said abuot this guy... if you feel at all uneasy, make a quick exit, please.

[jordonsmum]

I have a horseface loach. He's beautiful. I really like him, the only problem is that I never see him:no: But I really love him!!! LOL

He was in a tank full of Molly's at a LFS and the molly's kept picking at him. He was cowering in the corner. I just HAD to rescue him....LOL really, I had to...LOL (Not to mention he was 75% off because they were tearing down tanks for a new system). He likes to bury himself in the gravel and I find him when I vaccuum.

[CACAdmin]

He likes to bury himself in the gravel and I find him when I vaccuum.
:wideeyed:I'll bet you now vacuum that tank very carefully! :laugh:

[WaterPond]

Actually, those things move so fast even when under the gravel. I am not very careful when doing gravel vacs. Havnt hit one yet, don't think i ever will.

Edit: *knock on wood*

[Mrs.JP]

Just to let you know 2skunk loaches helped get my pestsnail problem under controll in a 10gl. with platies, now they are in the 55gl. comunitywith cories,mollies and platies and some other fish and they are doing fine. They will stay under 4" and there are other common names for them too,cream loach,mouse loach, those are the only ones I can think of right now. FishProfiles.com is were I got my info.

I had 2 horseface loaches they are really neet. 1 died for sure on me and I haven't seen the other one since so I am not sure if he is still alive.The tank he is in has live plants so I can't stir everything up to findout.

Kat how did your vist go? Did you bring anything home with you?

[Katalyst]

Kat how did your vist go? Did you bring anything home with you?

Thanks for asking Jackie, it went really well. I came back with more then I expected to. One albino longfinned bristle nose pleco, Starlight Plecos, Inspector Pleco's, King Tiger Pleco's, Whiptail Cats, a pair of C. Stuarti's, and a pair of killies. I only stopped because I ran out of money! :laugh: I'm glad Mr. Drew lives an hour and a half away! :)

Still no loaches yet, my qt tanks are either full or reserved for the next 3 months or so lol.

[Mrs.JP]

Oh wow! What a great bunch of fish I am drolling. Good luck with them. can't wait for pics.

[Katalyst]

Figured I'd update you guys. I had a fishy credit to burn so I decided on clowns, I planned on getting 4 but to my surprise when I got home there were 5 in the bag. The girl who netted them for me I've given snails to in the past. I love nice people. :) They sure are characters thats for sure. After qt is over I hope they'll be happy pest snail hunters in my 90 gallon.

[Melody]

Clowns are nice fishies, always liked them, just couldn't cope with the size they get. Nice of her to give you a bonus too. ::D:

[Slipstream]

how big do clowns actually get?.. ive heard a whole bunch of different sizes. Would be nice to actually know for sure.. LOL.. thanx

[Melody]

Around a foot, although I think they top out at less than that in aquariums as a rule, but not much. They grow slow.

[ChrissyFishy]

I love clowns!!!! Good choice:yes: . Are they eating the snails all up?

[Katalyst]

I love clowns!!!! Good choice:yes: . Are they eating the snails all up?

Hopefully they will be, they'll be in quarentine another few weeks & then I sure hope so. They are pretty cute little fellows!

[CACAdmin]

I'll bet they are... and of course, we'll expect pics. (You knew I'd have to say that, didn't you?:Frog: :laugh: )

[Katalyst]

I'll bet they are... and of course, we'll expect pics. (You knew I'd have to say that, didn't you?:Frog: :laugh: )
But of course, I am the worst with the camera as past pictures prove but I promise. Everytime I go near the tank they are in they dive for cover and hide.

[CACAdmin]

It's Halloween... they're orange & black... they saw what you did to a pumpkin... can you blame them for hiding ? :laugh:

[Katalyst]

It's Halloween... they're orange & black... they saw what you did to a pumpkin... can you blame themf ro hiding ? :laugh:
ROFL! True! I TOLD you it wasn't me it was the Keith's and the fact that I was watching the Exorcist for the first time ever while I was doing it on saturday night. This is what happens when I am left alone for long periods of time,(okay technically he was home for 2 days but is gone again but still...) that and lots of fish suddenly 'appear'. I wonder if I could get away with saying that killies are livebearers. :rofl:

[traco1]

ROFL! True! I TOLD you it wasn't me it was the Keith's and the fact that I was watching the Exorcist for the first time ever while I was doing it on saturday night. This is what happens when I am left alone for long periods of time,(okay technically he was home for 2 days but is gone again but still...) that and lots of fish suddenly 'appear'. I wonder if I could get away with saying that killies are livebearers. :rofl:
I'd say yes.:laugh:

[Katalyst]

I'd say yes.:laugh:

You would! LOL I've already used the, but I didn't buy them Barb gave them to me! line. :DevilGrin::rofl:

[traco1]

Did that line work? I bet not?:nah:

[Katalyst]

Did that line work? I bet not?:nah:
I think it got me an eye roll.

[ENZO]

I have a clown loach and zebra loach doing an awsome job at snail exermination. The clown is by far my favorite fish. :)