Sucking Loach

Care requirements

Care level: Beginner.

Because it uses the bottom area, leave enough open substrate area instead of crowding that part of the aquarium.

The listed lifespan is up to 15 years.

Water parameters

The temperature range for this fish is 25–28 °C, which fits many tropical freshwater aquariums. Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.

The pH range for this fish is 6–8.5. That points to a broad freshwater range, but stability is more important than sudden corrections.

The GH range for this fish is 4–25 dGH. That gives some flexibility, but sudden changes are usually more stressful than a stable value that is slightly imperfect.

Temperament and compatibility

Sucking Loach should be planned cautiously with compatible fish only, because aggressive temperament data raises the risk of conflict.

Because this fish uses the bottom area, compatibility is easier when other fish are not all competing for the same swimming space.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the bottom area, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

As an omnivore, Sucking Loach should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.

Because it feeds near the bottom, make sure food reaches the substrate and is not completely taken by faster fish in the open water.

Before adding this fish

• Make sure the bottom area has enough open substrate for a group.
• Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.
• Keep pH stable within the listed range instead of making sudden corrections.
• Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
• Offer a varied diet suitable for an omnivorous bottom-dwelling fish.