The Puffer Forum

Before we set up our Dwarf Puffer tank we are doing some last minute research about tank mates for our future little guys.

Would Kuhli (Coolie) Loaches be suitable?

We already know about Shrimp and Ottos but we have had Ottos in the past and we haven't had a very good experience with them to be honest despite our tanks being in tip top condition. This said, we have our doubts about the LFS we bought them from and the health of their fish generally as everything we bought from them died.

We're having a very low growing small leaf plant covering most of the uncovered areas in a heavily planted tank and wondered if the Puffers would notice the Loaches as they would more than likely be blow the dense coverage of the leaves.

Many thanks

What kind of shrimp can you keep with DPs? I'd definitely like to get one or two when I get my tank ready for them!

I have successfully housed them in the same tank for around three years. I have heard of others not having the same luck though. Then again on the other side of the coin I never could house shrimp with my dwarfs without them giving arms and legs and antennas and faces for their puffer friends. I would say have a back up plan to get poor kuhli out of dodge if it goes south and maybe let him get time to find all the hide outs in the tank before you add the puffs. I dont know if it made any difference but the kuhli was an established resident before I met my puffs at the shop. I just recently lost my poor loach after 5 years and cross country move together, it feels silly crying over a little fish but I couldnt help myself.

I don't think that's silly. you get attached to your pets. I know i was real sad when I lost my Convicts. They ran my FW tank for two years then I went out of town and the person who was sposed to be taking care of them never fed them

Hi

Thanks for that... yes we have a 4' tropical and another tropical tank on the go that we could rescue the Kuhli's to if things get too hot for them being chased by rabid Baked Beans

Nah it's not silly about crying because you lost your fish I'm the same, my OH has to fish (no pun intended) them out before I see them dead or I get all upset too!

I have one Khuli Loach with two DPs in a "community" tank. They do fine, just be sure that the tank is heavily planted, like DPs like. In case you didn't know (you probably do know), Kuhli loaches love to burrow/dig. If you have a small substrate and a lot of it, they shoud do fine. DPs like to nip the fins of other fish, like neon tetras and zebra danios. Thankfully, most of the small compatible fish are too fast for them. Good luck w/ the new tank! How many gallons will it be?

Yeah, I only have 3 total Khuli loaches in my house currently, so maybe you could ask a loach breeder or something.

I have 4 dwarf puffers in a heavily planted 12 gallon. I prefer to keep them alone because the ones I have are really aggressive for some reason. Mini-piranhas. lol