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Are checkerboard sand loaches fin nippers?

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by manta975, Mar 4, 2011.

  1. manta975

    manta975 Thread Starter New Member

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    So i have had my checker board sand loaches in my 10 gallon for about a week and a half maybe two weeks and the fins on my guppy's are getting all torn up. The male is the worst with about %50-%65 of his tail missing, one female has two small slits missing, and the other female is untouched. The only things in the tank are the guppy's, 3 sand loaches, and 4 oto cats. i have separated them for now. Could it be the loaces or maybe the guppys i am not sure, from what i have read neither is supposed to be aggressive or nip fins.
     
    manta975, Mar 4, 2011
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Are checkerboard snad loaches fin nippers?

    Loaches should be fine.

    What are your water parameters ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 4, 2011
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  3. manta975

    manta975 Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Are checkerboard snad loaches fin nippers?

    just curious what would water parameters have to do with behavior. anything specific i should check or just everything i don't remember what it was the last time i checked
     
    manta975, Mar 4, 2011
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  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    loaches can nip, I had to pull yoyo loaches outta my 90g for "harassing" a discus in there and these loaches were in there since babies. They didn't start to pose a problem until they were full grown.

    I think Anthony might be questioning the parameters thinking it may be illness or low ph possibly (again, just guessing that's where he's going with the parameter questioning).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2011
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  5. manta975

    manta975 Thread Starter New Member

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    ok i doubt they are sick they eat like crazy when i add food and are active through the day and night. They don't bother the otos they act like the otos are loaches and they all swim together. could it be the colors of the guppy because like i said the females are basically fine its the male taking the beating.
     
    manta975, Mar 4, 2011
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  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    who knows, I just know I had mine from babies and they were good until they reached adult size.
    I know others who never had an issue with them too though, so it's pretty much hit or miss when it comes to the loaches and their compatibility.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 4, 2011
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  7. manta975

    manta975 Thread Starter New Member

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    ok i will probably just have to keep them separate then
     
    manta975, Mar 4, 2011
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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    yea, I'd do that..plus a 10gallon is really too small for them anyways.

    I did a bit of reading up on them too, come to find out they do best with groups of 3 and when kept alone they tend to be aggressive.

    Like most loaches they do best with a soft substrate such as sand and bogwood & plants to hide amongst.

    Water paramter-wise their said to do best in a low Ph (around 6, which isn't within the guppies realm) and temps ranging from a low 68-78F.

    they'll get about 4-5" in size and the minimum suggested tank size is at least 20gallons.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 5, 2011
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  9. manta975

    manta975 Thread Starter New Member

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    once they get that big i have another tank for them but i have 3 of them they are about 1-1 1/2 inches and i have about 2 inches of sand in the tank, i will have to check the ph tho most of the time my ph is between 6 and 7 rarely does it get near 8.
     
    manta975, Mar 6, 2011
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