Safe to vacuum gravel with kulhi loach

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KimmiA

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
100
Hi guys!

The title pretty much says it all. Is it safe to do my weekly gravel vacuum cleaning if I get a kulhi loach? I know it is ideal to have sand substrate with them but after a disastrous attempt at having that kind of substrate I've sworn away from sand and kept with gravel.

I know loaches like to bury themselves in substrate, and my concern is I'd suck one of them up while doing a vacuuming.

Thanks in advance!
 
I had three dojo loaches at one point, and they would bury themselves to their heads in the gravel, even when I was vacuuming. I never sucked one of them up, they would move pretty quickly if I touched the rocks near them. Just try to be aware of their location when you're doing it and they'll be fine.
 
I had three dojo loaches at one point, and they would bury themselves to their heads in the gravel, even when I was vacuuming. I never sucked one of them up, they would move pretty quickly if I touched the rocks near them. Just try to be aware of their location when you're doing it and they'll be fine.

I agree. I also had a micro color change goby and he would bury himself. When vacuuming I would start gently and not force the syphon all the way down. Give them a chance to move. You can usually see their snout barely sticking above the gravel.
 
Nah they'll be fine. Don't underestimate their speed and intelligence!
 
I have cut a kuhli loach in half before with the gravel vac. Just move a little slower to give them a chance to move.
 
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