Yo-Yo Loach and small tank

J

jfthomas

AC Members
Apr 2, 2002
10
0
0
Visit site
Hello...I haven't been on this site in years, but I was hoping I could get some advice from someone here. I have a 6 gallon eclipse with one yo-yo loach...he's been there for 5.5 years and is healthy, very active and pretty comical.

The short story is that he's alone, because my LFS (now gone) suggested I overstock the tank, and he is the last one left...I came home with 3 tetras, 2 loaches, 2 glass fish and a swordtail...WAY too much...the tetras died first, then the smaller loach...and several years later the swordtail and the glass fish. Since then, I have not added any livestock, believing that even my one yo-yo is too much for the tank. This one liked to chase the other fish...he is now nearly full size...about 4 inches...

Could another fish be added to this tank safely? and if so, what would you recommend? It would be more fun if the other were not a bottom dweller, but I know these loaches like their own kind...

I'm happy to leave him in there by himself if that's best...but I already have a goldfish that came home from my son's class 7 years ago in another tank... and my next tank will likely be saltwater...sooo (I learned my lesson...no flames please) :)
 
I agree...Yoyos are far too active and get too large for a 6g. Get him/her a 30g long tank minimum. ;) Then you could get some micro rasboras or a betta for the 6g.
 
I know that loaches like to be in groups of 3-5...as for size, from what I have read the yo-yo is one of the smaller loaches...reaching 5 inches MAX...with 4 being more common...as I said, my loach is nearly 6 years old, very healthy coloring, activity level, appetite, etc.

As for the tank, I also agree it would be better in a larger tank...my brother is willing to take him in his 45 gallon...but he's an hour away, and I'm not sure how well he would travel that distance in a baggy. If I do that, I will more than likely take this tank down permanently and wait to setup a nano reef tank (29g) later this year when I have finished some work on the house.

Thanks for the replies...my original question was more related to whether or not the bio-load in the 6 would be compromised by a few small (tetra size) fish, assuming they wouldn't be harassed to death by the loach...I think that you guys answered that.
 
Your loach should be 6 inches. I shopped mine out at close to 5 because they were bothering my angels.

It is not truly healthy/happy. the tank is way way too small and it is alone. Loaches do not behave normally when kept alone. Move it to a bigger a tank with companions.

Fish are shipped all over the world in bags, a 1 hour trip is a snap.
 
Yea travel is no proble when i was looking for a female convict i finaly found one while i was out in vancouver for the day at a petcetera, and the trip back home is about 2 hours including ferry time, and it survived no problem
 
TwoTankAmin said:
Your loach should be 6 inches. I shopped mine out at close to 5 because they were bothering my angels.

It is not truly healthy/happy. the tank is way way too small and it is alone. Loaches do not behave normally when kept alone. Move it to a bigger a tank with companions.

Fish are shipped all over the world in bags, a 1 hour trip is a snap.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll see if he's still willing...anyone in the San Francisco area like to adopt him?

I guess it all depends on the source you read...a number of them state 5 inches is normal...6 a max...behavior parallels everything you can read about loach behavior...

but one thing that is unclear in the sources I've read is lifespan...some say 6 years...others 10-15. I've had this guy nearly 6 years...does anyone here have one and how old is yours?
 
There is one person on here I know who currently has 18 yr old 6" yoyo's. I am sure there are more, just one person I know off hand. To say whats normal isnt always accurate, as its effected by the fact that it is also normal that a majority of those keeping Yoyo's might not have them in ideal conditions. For a small tank if you really like Loaches I'd go for zebras (botia striata) or perhaps Dwarf Loaches (Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki) but these still wouldnt be good for a nano as you need to have them in a good social group of 5 or more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom