mcdonald.kk

My tank is still cycling but a few days ago snails started to appear. They are still too small to determine their species. A lot of people have advised adding a loach to my tank (after cycling of course). A guy who runs his own aquarium shop (and seems very knowledgeable) suggested the yo yo loach. He said they can be tetchy with one another and that just having one should be fine. However, reading about them some people claim that one loach is a lonely and depressed loach. I only have a 20 gal. tank. what should I do? I also have some algae starting to grow. Would the loach eat that too?

susitna-flower

Do you already have fish in this tank? YoYo loaches should be with 3-6 buddies. If your tank isn't already stocked, you should be able to have at least 3.

welshalien

I've read that yoyos like to be in groups of at least 3 but I only have 2 and they seem fine. They don't eat my algae though...I have a clown pleco for that. The bigger yoyo seems to like to hang out with him as much as with the other yoyo!

Butterfly

Yes the yoyos will eat teh snails. But... nothing should be added until it's cycled. Loaches are very sensitive to water quality. Yoyos are very rambunctious and love to play but have never seen them be "tetchy with one another"
Heres some great info on Yoyos- http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae
With three the tank would be stocked. Heres another loach suggestion and they would take up less room. http://www.loaches.com/species-index...ia-sidthimunki
Now all that said I really don't like to advise people to buy a particular fish to solve a problem(unless it's a fish they want anyway), better to solve the problem.
Where did the snails come from? What has been put into the tank besides water?
Carol