[GSAS-Member] snail eaters

[haika@drizzle.com]

Although I think clown loaches are beautiful, I don't have the space to
set up a large enough tank to accomodate their eventual size. So, I stick
with Botia striata (usually marketed as zebra or tiger loaches, I think).
They have a similar pale orange/darker grey-brown striping pattern and
they don't get as large.  I've found these loaches to be efficient snail
eaters, although they don't take down the BIG snails. They do take out all
the smaller ones as they hatch/develop. I have at least 3 in most of my
tanks. These loaches like company, so if you have a large enough
tank....try 6-8.

My Botia sidthimunki aren't as efficient at removing snails. I have 8 in
my largest tank (29g). They barely keep up with the production, but at
least they limit population growth <G>. These are my FAVORITE
loaches....but aren't as easy to find as other species, and some sources
are expensive (I gasped at the price asked ($30+) at a LFS and was
relieved that I'd just picked up my 8 for $9.99 - $11.99 <G>).

Betty Goetz

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