Keeping kuhli loaches with shell dwellers

[Corona]

I've been thinking about housing kuhli loaches and shell dwellers together - any success stories out there?

[boomer]

Considering the vastly different water requirements for kuhli loaches and shell dwellers, it's unlikely they'd coexist harmoniously, due to the distinct parameters each needs to thrive and remain healthy.

[coltin]

The shell dwellers, being from Lake Tanganyika, thrive in water with a GH significantly higher, often above 350ppm, sometimes even nearing 450ppm, and a pH that's generally around 8.5. On the other hand, kuhli loaches originate from soft water environments with a GH that's notably lower, typically below 100ppm.

[Corona]

The pH might not be as big of an issue as you'd think, since my kuhli loaches have been doing great in high pH water for years.

[rockyfox]

But the water hardness is a major concern. Softwater fish like kuhli loaches can't handle hardwater long-term, it can cause kidney failure. The minerals will build up in their system and it'll be fatal.

[Corona]

I think they've been in hard water since day one, it's not like they're being introduced to it suddenly. If they couldn't handle it, they wouldn't be selling well in stores, right?

[sSjey]

Fish in stores are only there for a brief period, not long enough to show any detrimental effects from being in hard water. It's not the store's concern what happens to them after they're sold. If your fish die, you'll simply go back and buy more. As the buyer, it's your responsibility to research the needs of your fish and provide suitable conditions. This includes keeping them in water that's right for them. Soft water fish might survive in hard water for a while, but they're unlikely to live as long as they would in their natural environment.

Kuhli loaches, like other soft water fish, have adapted to living in water with very few minerals. Their bodies are designed to hold onto the limited minerals they get from the water. When you put them in hard water, their bodies still hold onto those minerals, but now there are a lot more of them. Since the fish can't get rid of the excess minerals, they build up in their organs, especially their kidneys, which shortens their lifespan.

[graye]

I'm in agreement on the water issue, but I sense it's a non-starter for you.

Moving on to behavior, I foresee potential problems. Both the loaches and shell dwellers occupy similar tank space, which could lead to competition. In this scenario, I'd bet on the Cichlids emerging victorious. They likely won't tolerate a slender, fast fish that resembles an efficient fry predator, even if they don't have fry present. For Cichlids, protecting or producing fry is an instinctual drive.

[thenoob]

I'm in agreement on the water issue, but I sense it's a non-starter for you.

Moving on to behavior, I foresee potential problems. Both the loaches and shell dwellers occupy similar tank space, which could lead to competition. In this scenario, I'd bet on the Cichlids emerging victorious. They likely won't tolerate a slender, fast fish that resembles an efficient fry predator, even if they don't have fry present. For Cichlids, protecting or producing fry is an instinctual drive.

I'm not too concerned about competition in this case; kuhli loaches are generally shy and tend to steer clear of conflict. In my experience, they can learn to coexist with other fish, including dwarf cichlids, once they figure out where not to go. I've kept them together for years, and after the initial learning period, they seem to get along just fine, with the kuhli avoiding the cichlids' nesting areas.

However, the water parameters for shell dwellers are still a major issue, and I think that would significantly shorten the kuhli loaches' lifespan.

[Corona]

I'm in agreement on the water issue, but I sense it's a non-starter for you.

Moving on to behavior, I foresee potential problems. Both the loaches and shell dwellers occupy similar tank space, which could lead to competition. In this scenario, I'd bet on the Cichlids emerging victorious. They likely won't tolerate a slender, fast fish that resembles an efficient fry predator, even if they don't have fry present. For Cichlids, protecting or producing fry is an instinctual drive.

Thanks.