tiger loach

[UGForever!!!!!]

I wanna get these "tiger loaches" from the my LFS... not even sure if that is the correct name for them... Anyways, I've heard the are a bit nippy. Anybody forsee problems with the fish I have listed already?
Also, I heard they are diggers.... I just put sand in my tank (non-planted) and I have this piece of driftwood acting as a dam for a higher level of sand (a little two-tier thing going on). I was wondering if anybody thought the loach would dig under that and disrupt my little creation....
Ok any advice would be helpful.... thanks

 

[ScubaSteve]

Tiger loach or Clown Loach ?

 

[ScubaSteve]

If the fish you are talking about looks like the one next to my name, it is called a Clown Loach.

Keep in mind these fish can grow up to a foot long, but don't worry, they're slow growers.

 

[Lotus]

Or, are you talking about botia helodes? There is a pic and some info here: http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_helodes.html

Both are called tiger loaches sometimes

 

[UGForever!!!!!]

no they are definetly not clown loaches.... I think they are listed as zebra loaches or tiger loaches in some places. They are a smaller variety of loach.
But (assuming you know which fish I'm talking about) does anyone think that they will dig massive holes in my sand and ruin my two tier tank little setup?

 

[Lotus]

I think you're talking about the loach pictured here: http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_striata.html

They get to about 3" or so. These ones are very peaceful, but the ones I posted above are a little aggressive, apparently. The loaches will dig around in the substrate. I doubt they will ruin your whole aquarium, but they may rearrange it a little. It all depends on how fussy you are about every grain of sand in its place, and how delicate your sand creation is

If you do get them, buy at least 3 and make sure you have caves for them to hide in

Just make sure you know which ones you're getting

If you decide against the loaches, cories would make a good bottom feeder, IMO

 

[Locust]

If they are Zebras, then yeah, they're great.

I've never heard of them being fin nippers... I can say that mine have never bothered any of my other fish. My substrate is gravel, and they dig around in it a little but they don't seriously disturb it. They may be more inclined to dig in sand, but they don't bury themselves and they seem to dig mostly to get at food, so I wouldn't think they'd be too disruptive. I plan on moving my Zebras into a tank w/ sand as a substrate, so I'll know in the next 3 months or so.

 

[UGForever!!!!!]

thanks guys!
I think I"m gonna get them

 

[420Loach]

the first loach lotus pictured is a tiger loach. i see them under the name Assorted Botia(which ticks me off!!) all the time. their temperment ranges from solitary to aggressive. i think if you get a pair theyll do better then a single tiger loach, and it might cut down on the aggressive behavior.

 

[Lotus]

It's kind of annoying that they keep making up names for fish Unless you know what you're looking at, you have to go back home and find out what it's really called.

By the way, the Botia helodes gets to about 8", while the striata gets to about 3". A lot of LFS will tell you a fish "stays small" even if it doesn't.

 

[420Loach]

YES! stupid me, forgetting to mention important details! they can get rather big, my cousin had a pair in his 55 for a few years though, so you should be okay. he had them with a pair of pictus cats, and they seemed fine around them.