Zebra loach following cherry barbs

[TheWhiteOpalReiichi]

hi! so i have 1 zebra loach in my 20 gallon long tank along with 5 cherry barbs and some other fish (i’ve tried getting more zebra loaches but every time I go to Petco they never have them restocked). and my loach has really taken a liking to my barbs (i think) is there any particular reason why my loach follows them around everywhere? he even eats their food. could it be because he is lonely or could it be a dominance thing? I got the clown loach because I wanted a bottom dweller that would clean algae from my tank but I have never seen him at the bottom of the tank he is usually always swimming around and is really active.

 

[A201]

Loaches aren't algae eaters, but are very efficient scavengers.
A few more Zebra Loaches will likely calm down the over active Zebra
As long as the Barbs aren't being injured by the annoying Loach's behavior, no worries.

 

[Mudminnow]

I agree with A201, your loach is not an algae eater.

One thing to note is that your zebra loach is not a zebra loach. To me, it looks most like a yoyo loach. If it is a yoyo loach, it will eventually get 6+ inches long and outgrow your 20 gallon.

Botia loaches, like what you have there, are super social fishes. It is probably trying to use the barbs as a proxy for a school of its own species.

These loaches are best kept with other loaches, but your 20 gallon won't be big enough for even one. If you're looking for an algae eater, Amano shrimp would probably be best. If you would still like a loach species, take a look at kuhli loaches. They would fit your tank much better.

 

[GlennO]

I’ve never seen a zebra loach so don’t know what they look like but we do get yo-yo loaches here and that looks like the ones I see in the shops. All loaches I know of are very social shoaling fish and if they are kept alone they will often try to join in with other species. I agree that khuli’s would be a much better choice for your tank.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

As mentioned above, Loaches/botia are not algae eaters, while they will make short work of a variety of vegetables, "cucumber, squash, banana..." they are more carnivorous. They are also very social and should be in a school of 5 or more of the same species. The loach in your picture is a yoyo loach. They grow slow, but because they are active and need to be in a school, they grow too large for a 20 gallon.
The loach is eating the tetra food because they will eat almost anything, but he needs quality protein, consider some bug bites cichlid formula, it is the best mix that I have found for my loaches.
The loach is trying to school with the barbs, which may seem cute, but he is stressed and lonely. If you think that you could get a 48-inch long tank within a year, then try to get more loaches, call all petstores and ask if they can order more for you. If you can not get a larger tank, consider rehoming this fish.

 

[TheWhiteOpalReiichi]

Loaches aren't algae eaters, but are very efficient scavengers.
A few more Zebra Loaches will likely calm down the over active Zebra
As long as the Barbs aren't being injured by the annoying Loach's behavior, no worries.

thank you! i never knew that they weren’t algae eaters.

As mentioned above, Loaches/botia are not algae eaters, while they will make short work of a variety of vegetables, "cucumber, squash, banana..." they are more carnivorous. They are also very social and should be in a school of 5 or more of the same species. The loach in your picture is a yoyo loach. They grow slow, but because they are active and need to be in a school, they grow too large for a 20 gallon.
The loach is eating the tetra food because they will eat almost anything, but he needs quality protein, consider some bug bites cichlid formula, it is the best mix that I have found for my loaches.
The loach is trying to school with the barbs, which may seem cute, but he is stressed and lonely. If you think that you could get a 48-inch long tank within a year, then try to get more loaches, call all petstores and ask if they can order more for you. If you can not get a larger tank, consider rehoming this fish.

tysm! i’ve been feeding my loach a hikari bottom feeder formula, is that a good food for them? i’ve been trying to find more yo-yo loaches but petco never has them restocked.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I wish I knew the specific food, so I could look up the ingredients. Im sure Hikari food can keep them happy, but I have been very disappointed in the ingredients of the Hikari foods I have looked up. If you use a variety of foods, you won't have to worry, I suggest You vary there diet. I use this specific formula of bug bites as it has more protein than some of their other formulas.

And consider, raw, steamed, or blanched vegies like cucumber, squash, yam... you can spear it on the end of a spoon handle, drop it in for 1-2 hours.

 

[MacZ]

One thing to note is that your zebra loach is not a zebra loach. To me, it looks most like a yoyo loach. If it is a yoyo loach, it will eventually get 6+ inches long and outgrow your 20 gallon.

Absolutely agree. It's either a Botia almorhae or a B. rostrata. I tend towards the former.

But for sure not a B. striata.

I find this btw very helpful:
Pictorial Species Index - Body shape Pictures. — Loaches Online

 

[A201]

My Loaches do very well on Omega one Cichlid pellets and flakes as well as New life Spectrum Thera +A.