Similar to other loaches, they can handle a wide range of water parameters and would do best in a group of six or more of the same species. At 3.5 inches (9 cm) long, they are slightly shorter than angelicus loaches but have the same sloped nose that is perfect for eating snails, baby shrimp, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Unlike the clown and kuhli loaches that have wide, vertical bands, the zebra loach is covered with lots of skinny stripes. Also, deworm them when you bring them home because they are usually caught from the wild and have a higher likelihood of carrying parasites. If your fish store is able to order some for you, get a bigger group of at least 6-10. However, they’re not the easiest to source and may cost you about $13-20 each. This 4-inch (10 cm) loach doesn’t have a mean bone in its body, is pretty outgoing, and has vibrant, high contrast colors. If you want an upgraded version of the yoyo loach that is slightly smaller and more peaceful, look no further. Angelicus or Polka Dot Loach ( Botia kubotai) Yoyo loaches are great for larger tanks with certain African, Central American, or South American cichlids, but keep them away from invertebrates like snails and shrimp. They have a relatively mild temperament but can get a little ornery with each other, so get a school of at least six to even out any aggression. Some people refer to them as the budget clown loach because they still get fairly large at 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) but only cost $5-8. This popular species gets its common name from the markings that looks like the word “YOYO” spelled out on the side of its body. For more information, read our full care guide. Dwarf chain loaches can be a bit on the pricier side, especially since you need at least 6-10 in a group, but they’re a great alternative for people with smaller planted tanks that need snail control. Not only do they provide a lot of activity around the bottom chasing each other and searching for food, but they also “flutter” their fins and swim in the middle of the tank. At only 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) long, this little loach packs a lot of punch when it comes to their personality and the striking, black chain pattern along its body. If you’re looking for a classic, snail-eating loach that doesn’t get very big, consider the dwarf chain loach. Dwarf Chain Loach ( Ambastaia sidthimunki) Learn more about hillstream loaches in our full care guide. Finally, they are relatively easy to breed if you feed lots of good food and have plenty of cover in the fish tank. As with most loaches, they are not picky with their diet and will eat sinking wafers, Repashy gel food, and frozen bloodworms. Plus, they have the added bonus of being excellent algae eaters that will attack hair algae, brown diatoms, and even black beard algae if they’re hungry enough. Their streamlined bodies and powerful fins are capable of clinging onto surfaces in the midst of rushing rapids, but they also do well in regular community aquariums with slower flow. Hillstream loaches are another oddball on our list because they look more like baby stingrays than loaches. Reticulated Hillstream Loach ( Sewellia lineolata) For more details, read our kuhli loach care guide. If you’re looking for a peaceful bottom dweller that only gets up to 4 inches (10 cm) and won’t eat your snails, you have to get a school of kuhli loaches. You can feed them any kind of community omnivore diet, but they especially love to slurp down worms, such as frozen bloodworms or live blackworms. As a nocturnal species, they love to hide under fish tank decorations and live plants and then come out to scavenge for food after the lights are out. This zebra-striped oddball fish isn’t for everyone since they can look like a squiggly mass of worms, but they are quite enjoyable and easy to care for. Their funny antics include playing chase with each other, sleeping on their sides like they’re dead, and cramming themselves into tight corners or tubes. If you’re prepared to keep a monster-sized aquarium for 10-20 years, clown loaches are well worth the investment. They also do best at warmer temperatures over 80☏ (27☌) or else they can be prone to diseases such as ich. However, most do not get the proper care they need because they get as big as a foot-long sub sandwich (30 cm) and prefer to live in larger schools of six or more buddies. These gorgeous loaches are popular in the aquarium hobby because of their puppy-like behavior, beautiful black and yellow bands, and red-orange fins. Find out which ones we love the most and how to best care for them. It’s hard to describe this very diverse group of freshwater bottom dwellers, but many of them have a long-bodied shape, scaleless appearance, and whisker-like barbels on their faces. If you’re looking to add a lot of fun and excitement to the bottom third of your fish tank, loaches might be the perfect fit for you.
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