When it comes to keeping freshwater fish, there are literally hundreds of species to choose from. The problem is that many aquarists tend to go for the same fish time and time again. Think angelfish, clown loaches, tiger barbs, neon tetras; all the most common species. However, there are some freshwater fish that are not as commonly seen and yet have a lot to offer.
The dwarf chain loach is a stunning animal that will do very well in a home aquarium. They have very distinct markings and colors and boast a high level of activity, so make interesting pets for observation. But of course, if you are planning to take care of your own dwarf chain loach, you’re going to want to provide it with the very best level of care.
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An Introduction To The Dwarf Chain Loach
The dwarf chain loach can be found in the waters of Thailand and areas surrounding his country. This is a protected fish since the numbers in the wild are unfortunately dwindling in recent years. This means that when you purchase a dwarf chain loach to keep in captivity, it is highly unlikely that it was wild-caught. That said, breeding in captivity doesn’t take away from the striking appearance of these fish.
Dwarf chain loach fish have a very unique pattern and markings and so are incredibly easy to identify. Typically, the base color of the fish will be gold or silver and for the most part, it is the bottom half of the fish that features a more silvery hue, with golden colors on the top. The dwarf chain loach also has a series of black markings that almost resemble a chain-like pattern.
These markings can be seen along the entire length of the fish, although you will see slight differences in their size and appearance between individuals. It can be difficult to tell the males apart from their female counterparts since there are few differences between the two. However, you may notice that the males are slightly smaller and tend to have larger lips and longer snouts.
While they may be beautiful, the dwarf chain loach is considered to be one of the more aggressive freshwater fish that can be kept in a home aquarium. These feisty little creatures aren’t ideal for new hobby aquarists and can take a significant amount of care. However, if they are given the right conditions, they will thrive and make a lively and interesting addition to your tank.
Growth And Lifespan
Dwarf chain loach fish certainly won’t be the biggest animals in your aquarium. These eye-catching creatures will only grow to a maximum of two and a half inches. However, it is more common to see them growing to around two inches. What’s great about this is that you aren’t under pressure to house them in a huge tank, so if you are lacking where space is concerned, this isn’t such a huge concern. Of course, we would always advise providing your fish with as much space as possible
When you first purchase your dwarf chain loach, you will be buying a juvenile which will typically only measure around an inch in length. Keep in mind that the fish may double in size.
It may come as a surprise to learn that dwarf chain loaches have a relatively long lifespan for such a small fish. Most of them will live between eight and twelve years but of course, this is on the condition that they have the correct conditions and are well cared for. There are also the fish’s genetics to consider, as with any other animal, this will play a role in how long an individual survives.
Temperament
The dwarf chain loach is not a schooling fish but they do like to stick with their own. However, there can be some serious problems with aggression if you aren’t careful so you should always enter into the care of these fish with this in mind. Generally speaking, they will get on better with other dwarf chain loaches as opposed to other species, although there are a few suitable tank mates.
Within the group, the dwarf chain loach will fight to become the alpha; social hierarchy is common with this species so when introducing a group to a tank, you may notice some aggression as they establish who is in charge. Furthermore, over the course of time, it isn’t uncommon for these fish to fight again to reestablish this hierarchy. As a rule of thumb, you will want to keep at least five or six together but they may work better in larger groups of ten or more.
Diet and Feeding
The dwarf chain loach is an omnivore meaning that it will eat both plants and meat-based foods. They are scavengers by nature and will spend a lot of their day looking for food around the tank. For this reason, it is much better to provide the dwarf chain loach with more small meals over the course of the day rather than one large meal.
They aren’t fussy eaters and will usually eat anything that is offered to them. However, once they become adults, the dwarf chain loaches will develop a taste for certain foods and have their favorites which could lead them to becoming fussy. Offering a varied diet from day one will help to prevent this as much as possible. Alternatively, you can experiment with different foods and stick to the fish’s favorite.
While the dwarf chain loach will thrive on a diet of fish flakes or pellets, it is a good idea to include lots of high protein foods as well. You can use things like daphnia, bloodworms, and shrimp but you will find that the fish will also enjoy fruit and vegetables on occasion.
Tank And Water Conditions
When found in the wild, the dwarf chain loach prefers waters that have a lot of movement, such as streams. You will also notice that they prefer clean water that is very well oxygenated. It is OK if there is a slight acidity to the water but one of the most important things for these animals is that the conditions remain consistent.
When keeping dwarf chain loaches in captivity, you should aim to keep the water pH between 6.0 and 7.5. This is a decent range so shouldn’t be too difficult to maintain but as with all aquariums, it is vital to monitor this. The water hardness can be anywhere between 8 and 12 dKH. Again, you will need to stay on top of this and one of the best things you can do to monitor the water conditions is to buy a reliable water testing kit. When you first introduce your dwarf chain loach to the tank, it is a good idea to test the water more frequently, reducing this as they become established in the aquarium.
In terms of temperature, they are pretty adaptive and will live well within a generous range. Where a lot of fish may need the difference to be between a couple of degrees, the dwarf chain loach will be happy anywhere between 68ºf and 86ºf.
Since the dwarf chain loach isn’t a large fish, they are ideal for keeping in a smaller aquarium. If you are really pushed for space then any 30-gallon tank should be sufficient. That said, if you can fit something larger into the room, don’t be afraid to do this. We would recommend going up to around 40 gallons but the key to happy healthy fish is to give them as much space as possible.
Where the dwarf chain loach is concerned, a good amount of space is even more important since these are incredibly active fish that like to move around a lot. Furthermore, if you have a larger tank, you will be able to keep several dwarf chain loaches together without worrying about the risk of aggression and fighting.
When keeping freshwater fish, it is essential to try to create an environment that is as close to nature as possible. This will ensure that your pets thrive and live long, happy lives. Of course, you’ll never be able to replicate the wild exactly but by paying close attention to the water parameters, you should be able to get pretty close!
At the bottom of the tank, you will need to choose the right substrate. There are a couple of viable options but we would suggest using a very fine sand. You can include some smooth pebbles in the mix but don’t include any coarse gravel or anything with sharp edges. The dwarf chain loach is a bottom feeder so coarse materials could be uncomfortable or cause injuries.
The dwarf chain loach enjoys hiding since they like to feel secure in an enclosed space. While they are active fish, when they need to take a break and rest, they will do so in a hiding place. For this reason, we would always advise providing your dwarf chain loaches with lots of options. But this doesn’t have to ruin the aesthetic of your aquarium. These fish are happy with a range of decorations.
They will do very well with things like driftwood and rocks as well as man-made caves. However, having a lot of plants is crucial for their happiness.
If you use softer plants, your dwarf chain loaches may decide to use these as snacks, which is not something you want. So when choosing greenery for the tank, try to opt for hardier plants such as moneywort or java fern.
As we have previously discussed, the dwarf chain loach enjoys movement in the water so it is important to have something of a current within the tank. The filtration system outlet will provide this for you or alternatively, you can purchase a separate pump.
Dwarf Chain Loach Problems
Typically speaking, the dwarf chain loach is a pretty hardy little fish. They do well in various conditions and it takes a lot to ruin their health. However, with that in mind, if the fish aren’t well cared for and they are provided with poor living conditions, it won’t take long before their health begins to suffer. To avoid problems, it is a wise idea to perform regular water changes.
The requirements for the dwarf chain loach are a little more than other species and you’ll need to change at least 30-50% of the water on a weekly basis.
One of the most critical things is to ensure that the water does not have high levels of ammonia or nitrate. Keeping up with regular water checks will help to avoid these build-ups. If you don’t do this, the imbalance in the water will induce stress in the fish. As a result of this, they will be more prone to diseases.
The dwarf chain loach may be susceptible to various worms which will take away important nutrients from the fish. Off the back of this, the fish may then develop something known as skinny disease where the loaches lose worrying amounts of weight. One of the most common diseases for the dwarf chain loach is ich which is a parasitic disease that causes white marks on the skin.
Suitable Tank Mates
Let’s start by discussing what you shouldn’t keep with dwarf chain loaches; snails and shrimps will quickly become a meal for them so it is best to avoid keeping these animals in the same tank. However, if you have an out-of-control snail population, adding a group of dwarf chain loaches could restore the balance.
Moreover, you want to avoid keeping these fish with calmer species as they will likely bully them. It is better to opt for other semi-aggressive species that will be able to stand up to the dwarf chain loach. You should also consider housing them with species that prefer to inhabit other parts of the tank so that each fish has its own territory; this would be the balance in the wild so it is important to try to replicate this in captivity.
Things like cory catfish and the silver dollar fish make great tank mates for the dwarf chain loach. You will also find relative success when keeping them with the black skirt tetra and the harlequin rasbora. Zebra danio also makes suitable tank mates.
Breeding
Dwarf chain loaches are beautiful fish so it is no wonder that you might want to breed them to have more in your tank. However, the bad news is that it is not currently possible to encourage them to spawn in a home aquarium. In the wild, the dwarf chain loach will migrate when it is time to breed meaning that it cannot do so in captivity. Commercial breeders need to stimulate the breeding process using hormones and unless you have a vast experience in this, we wouldn’t suggest attempting it at home.
Conclusion
The dwarf chain loach isn’t one of the most common fish to see in a freshwater tank, but they are beautiful creatures that offer a lot in terms of activity and excitement. However, if you want your fish to do well, it is vital to provide the proper care including a healthy and balanced diet, the right water parameters, and suitable tank mates.
