Loaches are fascinating freshwater fish known for their playful personalities, unique behaviours and ability to thrive in peaceful community aquariums. From the ever-popular Kuhli Loach to energetic Zebra Loaches and Yo-Yo Loaches, these bottom-dwelling fish spend their days exploring every corner of the aquarium while helping clean up leftover food.

Why You'll Love Loaches

• Full of personality with entertaining behaviour
• Excellent bottom-dwelling community fish
• Many species enjoy living in peaceful groups
• Great for planted aquariums and natural aquascapes
• Some species may help control pest snails

Creating the Ideal Home

Tank Size

Smaller species such as Kuhli Loaches are comfortable in aquariums from 60 litres, while larger species like Yo-Yo or Zebra Loaches are best kept in aquariums of 120 litres or more. Always research the adult size of each species before purchasing.

Temperature

Most loaches thrive between 24–28°C with stable tropical temperatures throughout the year.

Water Quality

• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm
• pH: 6.0–7.5

Loaches are sensitive to poor water quality and should only be introduced into fully cycled aquariums with regular maintenance and stable conditions.

Filtration

Good biological filtration and moderate water movement provide the clean, oxygen-rich water that most loaches appreciate.

Aquascaping

Fine sand is highly recommended, especially for Kuhli Loaches, as they naturally burrow and forage through the substrate. Provide driftwood, caves, rocks, leaf litter and dense planting to create plenty of hiding places where they can feel secure.

Feeding

Loaches are omnivores that spend much of their time searching for food along the substrate. While they'll happily eat leftovers, they should never rely solely on scraps.

• Sinking community pellets
• Algae wafers
• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Live blackworms and other live foods

A varied diet keeps loaches healthy, active and displaying their best natural behaviour.

Suitable Tank Mates

Loaches generally make excellent community fish when kept alongside peaceful species with similar water requirements.

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Danios
• Corydoras
• Rainbowfish
• Dwarf Gouramis
• Peaceful Barbs

Avoid keeping loaches with large aggressive cichlids or fish that may bully slow-moving bottom dwellers.

Popular Loach Species

• Kuhli Loach
• Black Kuhli Loach
• Zebra Loach
• Yo-Yo Loach
• Dwarf Chain Loach
• Skunk Loach
• Weather Loach (cool water species)
• Horseface Loach

Loaches FAQs

Are Loaches schooling fish?

Most loaches are social and should be kept in groups of at least five or six. Keeping them together encourages natural behaviour and reduces stress.

Do Loaches eat snails?

Some species, such as Yo-Yo Loaches and Dwarf Chain Loaches, are well known for eating small pest snails. Kuhli Loaches generally do not provide reliable snail control.

Do Loaches need sand?

Fine sand is strongly recommended for many species, particularly Kuhli Loaches, as it allows them to burrow naturally without damaging their delicate barbels.

Can Loaches live with shrimp?

Larger loaches will often eat shrimp, especially juveniles. Kuhli Loaches are generally safer with adult shrimp, but baby shrimp may still be at risk.

Why do my Loaches hide all the time?

Hiding is completely normal, especially for Kuhli Loaches. Providing plenty of caves, plants and keeping them in groups will help them become more confident and active.