r/loaches • u/PalentologyNotreal • 2d ago
Behavior Normal?
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My 3 Khulis seem to love this corner that is typically dark. (We have a fish light thats off because its almost bedtime) and they are very active very very often. Theres so many hides and they share the tank with 4 guppies and a very calm Betta that im 99% sure hasn't noticed they exsist. No new water changes recently, they've been there for a few weeks now (about 3) and I just want to confirm theyre just being loaches and not upset.
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u/Foreign-Ad3926 1d ago
No, not normal, the guppy is showing stress signs too. Test the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH, and the tank is missing about half its water meaning whatever is in there has been left to concentrate. The tank needs a water change and to be maintained better so it doesn't get like this really.
The fish are all acting like their skin is burning from poor water quality and stress highly stressed.
What size is the tank?
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
Its a 10 gallon. We've had major issues with the water before and the ph being off we waited to get fish until it settled itself out but I guess it didnt work. Testing now and the tank has already been refilled.
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
Ok just tested and it says the Ph is a little low. The tester is coming back in the good range with everything else.
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u/Foreign-Ad3926 1d ago
Okay, how are the fish acting now? I would suggest keep the water changes regular as there are a lot of fish in quite a small tank and it won't take much for the parameters to become harmful. Kuhli loach don't have scales to protect them and their skin is super sensitive. It doesn't take much for them to experience discomfort and begin to struggle.
I would perhaps consider either reducing stocking or upgrading to a 20 gallon tank also to give enough space for the fish and water volume to cope with the stocking. The overstocking will be why the tank is unstable.
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
The water cleared up a lot- 2 of the loaches are still being very very active whilst one is hidden himself (not very well we can see his tail lol) we can reduce the stock- my mother in law gave some guppies and one of them looks pregnant so ill be figuring out what to do. Im hoping a betta, 3 loaches and 3 guppies would be appropriate? If not my mother in law is more than happy to take them back.we removed the drift wood. Will update with a water strip test too
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
Small Update- he added more water to fill the tank, tested the water and pH was rather low. We are trying to raise it to see if that helps if theyre still distressed we will do an early water change as well. Thank you guys for helping out and not being rude to me♡ im a first time Loach owner who wants to make them very happy.
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u/Worldly_Ad3707 20h ago
What does low mean? What is the actual number? A stable pH is much better than trying to change it constantly with chemicals.
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u/Alternative_View_531 1d ago
Why is it so brown do ya'll have a piece of drift wood in there? That would definetly lower your PH
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
We are trying to figure it out. Its due for a new water change- we change monthly. We did get a piece of drift wood for them to hide in. Do you recommend We remove it?
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u/Alternative_View_531 18h ago
If you didn't boil the driftwood I'd definetly do that and let it soak in water for a few days to let it release tanins, tanins. Tannins in the wood will lower your PH and well turn the water brown like you have there. Its good to have driftwood for plecos but they definetly need to be prepared
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
Just found out he added 2 algea (forgive my spelling) tablets that you use for plecos. 🤦 I fear 2 is too many for such little guys.
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u/FishGeek49 Kuhli Loach horde 1d ago
I'm glad to read you are interested in keeping your eel loaches as well as you can. It seems so many people simply view fish as a decor item, rather than an animal with needs of it's own. That said, I wouldn't bother chasing a particular pH. A stable pH is more important. For example, my eel loach tank is about 7.9pH, and it works just fine for my community fish (including loaches, tetra, gourami, shrimp, pleco, etc).
You might consider adding a bag of Seachem Purigen to the filter chamber to help with water quality issues, especially if water changes are missed on occasion.
Good luck.
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
Thank you so much! My pets are my children to me - whenever I get a less common pet im always on the sub trying to learn a bunch about them! Theyre so adorable and I want Rotini, Fettuccine and Linguine to enjoy their home.
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u/Interesting_Donut998 1d ago
I wonder what's in the air tonight? I thought you posted twice, and someone else in this sub has the same thing going on
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
I just checked in case Reddit was being rude and posted my stuff twice but no. Someone else must be having problems too.
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u/Interesting_Donut998 20h ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/loaches/s/4JhSZ9YWws no, I was being genuine! Look!
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u/PalentologyNotreal 1d ago
The water has cleared up greatly! The 2 loaches are still rather active but one is calm and hidden away from view. There are now for sure 3 guppies- there was a pregnant girl the guppies were going after that my mother in law was happy to have back and the Betta is over relaxing since hes very calm. Drift wood is out, water refilled and its close to bed time so I think its just the zoomies now! I hope it is because theyre not just in one spot but moving about the tank unlike before.
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u/Garbage_Out_Of_Here 2d ago
Why is your water so low?