Can I add some Khuli Loaches to my tank?

I have a well established ten gallon tank. I've had the same fish in it for a year now (with the exception of only like two random deaths and 1 new pleco) and tbh I want to add something new. I thought KhulI Loaches (only two or three) would be really cool. Is this a good idea?

 

What is the full stock? What kind of pleco.

The loaches need groups of 6+ and with a pleco/loaches it doesn't allow for that kind of room. By themselves yes 5-6 is acceptable.

 

I wouldn't do kuhlis or plecos in a 10 gallon tank. Kuhlis need groups and get around 4 inches, so too big.

 

I have two dwarf gauramis and a female betta (all get along perfect btw) and a clown pleco who's still pretty small. If not khulI loach, is there anything else I can add?

 

I have two dwarf gauramis and a female betta (all get along perfect btw) and a clown pleco who's still pretty small. If not khulI loach, is there anything else I can add?

All in the 10 gallon? If so, you’re playing a dangerous game. Dwarf gouramis are solitary by nature, and the males are extremely territorial towards one another. A female betta is almost all of that but in a slightly smaller package. In a 10 gallon tank, it’s kind of only a matter of time before one lashes out. If you want more fish, separate the two male gouramis and upgrade to a 20 gallon.

 

In my own 10gal I have 6 java loaches and 1 male betta with shrimp and snails. I consider this fully stocked. I could probably get away with a school of tiny rasboras as my tank is well planted, but it’s been this way for a couple years with no issues.

I also feel no pleco should be in a 10gal simply because of the pooing habits. Plus I agree with the above, only 1 dwarf gourami or 1 betta in a 10gal. If you are looking for a tank with lots of variety then I think a larger setup is in order.

 

Because of space, I unfortunately can't upgrade. So I'll stick with the ones I already have in there. Normally, yes I would agree too that I shouldn't have as many fish in there as I do, but honestly they are not aggressive to each other in the slightest. And I've had them since last year, so if they where going to show aggressiveness I'm sure they would have already. And for the pleco, he's a baby so right now it's fine. By the time he's fully grown I'm sure I'll have a different set-up. But thank you all anyway!

 

Because of space, I unfortunately can't upgrade. So I'll stick with the ones I already have in there. Normally, yes I would agree too that I shouldn't have as many fish in there as I do, but honestly they are not aggressive to each other in the slightest. And I've had them since last year, so if they where going to show aggressiveness I'm sure they would have already. And for the pleco, he's a baby so right now it's fine. By the time he's fully grown I'm sure I'll have a different set-up. But thank you all anyway!

Well, the dwarf gourami situation has a 95% chance of failing still. The belief that it hasn’t happened now so it won’t happen in the future, is very flawed if it’s involving animals. I guess you’re allowed to do whatever you want, though.

 

If horizontal space is an issue, perhaps get a 2nd 10gal, or even 3rd, and do a rack system? Id do betta and clown in 1 tank, 1 dwarf each in the other two.

You could do kuhlis in a 10 with one of the dwarves, but tbh in my experience I had them in a 10 gallon when I started and they werent happy. Always glass surfing. Too small and cramped for these guys.

If you could push a couple more inches wider, a 20 gallon TALL would offer you better stocking space than the 10.

I have a 20tall and a 10 on a stand, one above the other to save space.
Just so you can see the size difference...

 

If horizontal space is an issue, perhaps get a 2nd 10gal, or even 3rd, and do a rack system? Id do betta and clown in 1 tank, 1 dwarf each in the other two.

You could do kuhlis in a 10 with one of the dwarves, but tbh in my experience I had them in a 10 gallon when I started and they werent happy. Always glass surfing. Too small and cramped for these guys.

If you could push a couple more inches wider, a 20 gallon TALL would offer you better stocking space than the 10.

I have a 20tall and a 10 on a stand, one above the other to save space.
Just so you can see the size difference...
View attachment 636535

I agree wholeheartedly. Dwarf gouramis get too large to be kept in a 10 gallon, and on top of that, they’re solitary and reclusive. They want a place to hide and get away from all the other fish. IMO, only the sparkling gourami can be put in a 10 gallon. Even honeys are way too active for a 10.

Your 20 looks great!

 

Well, the dwarf gourami situation has a 95% chance of failing still. The belief that it hasn’t happened now so it won’t happen in the future, is very flawed if it’s involving animals. I guess you’re allowed to do whatever you want, though.

I don't believe that "it hasn't happened now so it won't happen in the future" at all. What I was trying to say was that I doubt anything will happen, but of course if it does I will fix the situation by separating them. Not trying to come off as rude, but simply saying that all animals are different. Typically yes the gouramis would be a bad idea. I took a risk putting them together and it's worked out great so far in my case.

If horizontal space is an issue, perhaps get a 2nd 10gal, or even 3rd, and do a rack system? Id do betta and clown in 1 tank, 1 dwarf each in the other two.

You could do kuhlis in a 10 with one of the dwarves, but tbh in my experience I had them in a 10 gallon when I started and they werent happy. Always glass surfing. Too small and cramped for these guys.

If you could push a couple more inches wider, a 20 gallon TALL would offer you better stocking space than the 10.

I have a 20tall and a 10 on a stand, one above the other to save space.
Just so you can see the size difference...
View attachment 636535

Ok, thanks for the ideas! I'll have to think about it for now. Your two tanks look really cool btw!

I agree wholeheartedly. Dwarf gouramis get too large to be kept in a 10 gallon, and on top of that, they’re solitary and reclusive. They want a place to hide and get away from all the other fish. IMO, only the sparkling gourami can be put in a 10 gallon. Even honeys are way too active for a 10.

Your 20 looks great!

From all the research I've done, I personally don't think the dwarfs are to large for the tank. I do preform regular water changes to help out because I'm aware that my tank is full. Don't sparkling gouramis get much bigger than the dwarfs? I was always under the impression that those where the ones to avoid for a ten gallon, but maybe not

 

Everything I have read for DG is that they get not too big, and are great for a 10 if cared for. Honeys can go in a ten but usually it is not reccomended because they are social fish and are usually kept in groups.

Sparkling gouramis reach 1~inch

 

Everything I have read for DG is that they get not too big, and are great for a 10 if cared for. Honeys can go in a ten but usually it is not reccomended because they are social fish and are usually kept in groups.

Sparkling gouramis reach 1~inch

I think it's more about how active DGs are, that being said I had one for a few weeks in a 6.6 gallon that was tall and that wasn't as bad as it sounds but he's in a 20 now and it's much better.

 

I don't believe that "it hasn't happened now so it won't happen in the future" at all. What I was trying to say was that I doubt anything will happen, but of course if it does I will fix the situation by separating them. Not trying to come off as rude, but simply saying that all animals are different. Typically yes the gouramis would be a bad idea. I took a risk putting them together and it's worked out great so far in my case.

Ok, thanks for the ideas! I'll have to think about it for now. Your two tanks look really cool btw!

From all the research I've done, I personally don't think the dwarfs are to large for the tank. I do preform regular water changes to help out because I'm aware that my tank is full. Don't sparkling gouramis get much bigger than the dwarfs? I was always under the impression that those where the ones to avoid for a ten gallon, but maybe not

Don't let the name fool you. Dwarf gourami aren't too small. Quite a bit bigger than sparkling gourami and bigger than honey gourami too. Sparkling gourami are around 1-1.5 inches, dwarf gourami get between 3 and 4 inches.

A fish of that size doesn't belong in a 10g. They also don't tend to work longterm with bettas. Many times not with each other.

The pleco shouldn't really be in that size a tank either. I know he's a baby now, but a lot of the time an expected future upgrade falls through. I'm not actively trying to rain on your parade, but I'm seeing problems with nearly every aspect of this stock personally.

 

well others have responded. I sort of agree and disagree but the only real comment I have is htat while a clown pleco stays small (for a pleco) like most pleco it requires a bit of wood - so make sure you have some wood in the tank...

 

well others have responded. I sort of agree and disagree but the only real comment I have is htat while a clown pleco stays small (for a pleco) like most pleco it requires a bit of wood - so make sure you have some wood in the tank...

I do have driftwood in the tank. Thank you