All You Need To Know About Loaches

Loaches are bottom-dwelling freshwater fish known for their quirky behaviour, social nature, and tank-cleaning abilities. Popular species like Clown, Kuhli, and Yoyo Loaches thrive in well-maintained community tanks with soft substrate, stable water conditions, and hiding spots. They enjoy a varied diet, including sinking pellets like Intan Faux Worm Sticks, which offer high protein and colour-enhancing nutrients. Loaches are entertaining and beneficial additions to aquariums, but they need companionship, proper care, and regular tank maintenance to stay healthy and stress-free.

What makes loaches a great addition to freshwater aquariums?

Loaches are one of the most fascinating freshwater fish species you can welcome into your aquarium and trust us, they bring more than just good looks to the tank. From their quirky behaviour to their tank-cleaning skills, loaches are truly the unsung heroes of the aquatic world. If you’re thinking about adding loaches to your fish family, or simply want to understand them better, here’s everything you need to know.

What are loaches?

Loaches are bottom-dwelling freshwater fish that come from rivers and streams across Asia and Europe. There are over 200 species, but some of the most popular ones in home aquariums include:

• Clown Loach – Instantly recognisable with their bold stripes and playful energy
• Kuhli Loach – Slender, eel-like, and often hiding during the day
• Yoyo Loach – Energetic and patterned like the word “YOYO”
• Zebra Loach – Striking with horizontal stripes, peaceful by nature

These fish are known for their strong personalities, social nature, and ability to adapt well to community tanks.

Why are loaches great for your tank?

• Natural tank cleaners: Loaches are scavengers and will happily munch on leftover food and algae keeping your tank clean and reducing waste build-up.
• Highly social: Most loaches prefer living in groups of at least 4–6. When kept alone, they may become shy or stressed. With friends? They’re full of life and much more active.
• Entertaining to watch: From their playful “follow the leader” swimming style to squeezing into tight hiding spots, loaches always find a way to keep things interesting.
• Suitable for community tanks: With the right companions, loaches get along well with other peaceful fish, making them a great addition to diverse aquariums.

Ideal tank conditions for loaches

Loaches might be hardy, but a comfortable environment is key to their health and happiness. Here’s what they prefer:

• Tank size: Minimum of 20–30 gallons depending on the species
• Substrate: Soft sand or smooth gravel (to protect their sensitive underbellies and barbels)
• Water temperature: 24°C–30°CpH: Between 6.0–7.5
• Filtration: Good water flow and oxygenation mimic their natural river habitats
• Lighting: Soft to moderate; they appreciate dimmer conditions and places to hide
• Don’t forget: loaches are escape artists. A tightly fitting lid is a must!

What to feed your loaches?

Loaches aren’t fussy eaters, but they do best on a varied diet. Here’s how to keep their tummies happy:

• Sinking pellets: These are a staple for bottom feeders.

Intan Faux Worm Sticks are slow-sinking, high-protein (46%) fish food designed to mimic live worms, making them an ideal, safer alternative for Discus, Loaches, Tetras, and Small Cichlids. Packed with Antarctic krill, insect meal, garlic, and Astaxanthin, these sticks offer excellent nutrition, natural colour enhancement, and strong immune support—without the risks of parasites from live feed. They’re highly palatable, low on water turbidity, and perfect for clean, healthy feeding.

Common loach behaviours (yes, they’re a bit quirky)

One of the reasons loaches are loved by aquarists is their personality. Here’s what you might notice:

• Sleeping in weird positions: Don’t panic if your loach is lying sideways—it’s normal!
• Digging: They’ll often burrow in the substrate or wedge into small hiding spots.
• Clicking noises: Some species like Clown Loaches make audible clicks when they’re excited or during feeding.
• Colour changes: Stress, mood or even lighting can affect their appearance. Ensure their tank conditions are stable.

Health and care tips

While loaches are generally hardy, they can be prone to certain issues if not cared for properly:

• Ich (white spot disease) – Loaches are sensitive to many medications, so always check labels
• Barbel erosion – Caused by rough substrate or poor water quality
• Stress – Often due to being kept alone, or sudden water changes

Make sure to run regular water checks and never skip water changes. A healthy tank = happy loaches.

Are loaches right for you?

If you’re looking for a fish that’s playful, helpful, and full of personality, loaches are a brilliant choice. Just remember, they’re not low-maintenance decorations. They thrive on companionship, clean water, and a bit of love (and food, of course).

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, loaches bring charm and balance to any freshwater setup.

At Intan, we are here to provide you with premium fish feed. Our feed is tailored to meet the specific needs of each species. Every feed can spark positive change and create a future promoting quality, resilience, and well-being. We aim to serve the needs of hobbyists and breeders for the best quality of each species’ unique requirements. To know more about us, check out our Instagram page or contact us.

We are not just a brand; we are stewards of the underwater world. We believe in the well-being of our friends and their mental health. Understanding and addressing the stressors that affect fish is not just a concept for us, it's a commitment. Through our dedication to research and innovative products, we aim to ensure that fish everywhere can lead happier, healthier lives.