CheckMyFishTankSkunk Loach care
Yasuhikotakia morleti · Freshwater · Intermediate level care
A loach with a pale stripe that is a good snail eater.
Feeding
Twice a day. One or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes. Sinking pellets, frozen foods, snails.
Nips the fins of slow fish with long fins.
Eats shrimp and snails.
Claims a territory and guards it.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Skunk Loach in a 80 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Rosy Barb: Rosy Barb and Skunk Loach need different water temperatures.
- Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Skunk Loach.
- Gold Barb: Gold Barb and Skunk Loach need different water temperatures.
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Skunk Loach need different water temperatures.
- Paradise Fish: Paradise Fish and Skunk Loach need different water temperatures.
- Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Skunk Loach.
- Green Terror: Green Terror and Skunk Loach need different water temperatures.
- Demasoni Cichlid: Demasoni Cichlid fight their own kind. Keep only one per tank.
Questions
What size tank does a Skunk Loach need?
At least 40 gallons for a group of 3. Adults grow to about 4 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Skunk Loach like?
77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Skunk Loach should I keep together?
Keep 3 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.
What do Skunk Loach eat?
Sinking pellets, frozen foods, snails. Feed twice a day: one or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.