What size tank do skunk loaches need?
At least 30 gallons (114 liters) for a group of 5. The smallest standard tank that works is the 29 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Yasuhikotakia morleti.
How many skunk loaches in each tank size?
This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if skunk loaches are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.
| Tank | How many skunk loaches |
|---|---|
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | up to 7 |
| 40 gallon breeder | up to 9 |
| 55 gallon | up to 13 |
| 75 gallon | up to 18 |
| 125 gallon | up to 30 |
Check skunk loaches against your own tank and other fish
Good to know
- Nips and harasses other fish. Keep a group, and avoid slow or long-finned tankmates.
- Keep at least 5. Alone or in twos and threes, skunk loaches hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.
- This is a jumper. Use a lid with no gaps.
- It nips fins. Avoid slow tankmates with long, flowing fins.
Tank mates for skunk loaches
These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.
- Swordtail
- Glass catfish
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Bleeding heart tetra
- Festivum
- Red rainbowfish
- Lemon tetra
- Marbled hatchetfish
Poor matches
- Betta: Skunk loach nips fins and betta has long fins. Avoid this pair.
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
- Oscar: Oscar (about 12 in) can eat skunk loach (about 3.3 in).
- Molly: They need different water: Skunk loach likes a pH of 6–7.5, molly likes 7.5–8.5.
Questions and answers
What size tank do skunk loaches need?
At least 30 gallons (114 liters) for a group of 5. The smallest standard tank that works is the 29 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many skunk loaches should be kept together?
At least 5. Skunk loaches are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.
Can skunk loaches live in a 10 gallon tank?
No. Skunk loach needs at least 30 gallons (114 liters).
What temperature do skunk loaches need?
73–82 °F (23–28 °C), with a pH of 6–7.5. In most homes that means a heater.
Can skunk loaches live with a betta?
It is not a good match. Skunk loach nips fins and betta has long fins. Avoid this pair.
More fish
- Bandit corydoras
- Hoplo catfish
- Striped Raphael catfish
- Polka-dot loach
- Lake Kutubu rainbowfish
- Red rainbowfish
- All 150 species
Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.