It was since 8th December 2007 that we have bought three Dwarf Chain Loaches into our main Planted Tank (see Dwarf Loach – Botia Sidthimunki) to combat the neverending growth of the snail population. We then bought another three loaches a week later on 16th December 2007 (see Snails vs Loaches) in response to the unsuspecting infiltration of snails in our Guppy Tank.
Since then, the loaches have been living quite well and doing a fine job controlling the population of the snails in both tanks. Unfortunately, accidents happen and one of the loaches in the Guppy Tank was accidentally sucked into the bucket of water during a routine water change. Managed to notice him before all the water were poured into our toilet bowl, and quickly netted him up and placed him back into the tank. Sadly he was probably too shocked and appeared injured and soon died.
Then it was recently another loach, this time in the Main Planted Tank, failed to survive. When we spotted him (he was always hiding behind the driftwoods from our views), he was already very skinny. We didn’t know what’s wrong and could do nothing to help him. We soon found his corpse beneath the driftwood.
So currently we have two loaches in each tank, offering interesting observations of their behaviour and also helping to keep the snail population in tab. However, when I checked the Main Planted Tank carefully yesterday, I noticed an increase in the number of snails in it, though the other two loaches were still swimming actively as before (anyway, we have never seen them ‘eating’ the snails, though the snail population was obviously reduced since their arrival).
I then started to contemplate getting more dwarf chain loaches to aid in the snail ‘feast’ and also bringing more joy to the remaining two loaches in the main tank. Loaches are known to enjoy company from their own species and a minimum number of five loaches is usually recommended. Therefore I will be getting at least another three loaches to add to our bioload.
As for the Guppy Tank, the tank is pretty congested already, and snails seem to be under control, so it’s unlikely that I will want to add more fished in there. By the way, one of them has grown to a tremendous size, no thanks to its huge appetite and aggressive when fighting for food.
Just called Qian Hu, a huge local fish farm, on the availability of the dwarf chain loach, and I’m glad to hear that they are in stock, at S$3.00 each. Planning to drop by later (not exactly that close) and buy some loaches.
More information on the Dwarf Chain Loach can be found here.
Filed under: General
