Is a 10 gallon tank enough? What size fish tank should i get for a betta and 4 loaches?

Question

Okay, I want 4 kuhli loaches and a betta. Right now I have a 10 gallon tank. I know its not the best size, but I want to know if it absolutely necessary to get a bigger size or not. Some people out there say you need like 1 inch per gallon (that would mean about a 15-20 gallons), but bettas and loaches don't produce a lot of waste (for ammonia and nitrates) and the betta doesn't need a lot of room to swim (i had a 2.5 gallon that was more than enough for him, 10 gallons is like the equivalent of like a million acres, he doesnt even swim on the other side of the tank!), and the loaches pretty much stick to the bottom and if they want they can swim around. A 10 gallon tank at petsmart is $10. The same tank but 20 gallon is $40. Thanks for your help. And Btw I know the one inch per gallon thing is a general reference, and every fish has their own needs.

Answer 1

ok the betta CAN NOT be with any other fish. they are fighting fish and will kill the other fish. as far as the loaches that size tank is fine.

Answer 2

Get black kuhli loaches they only grow 4 inches. Thats what I have. I have two loaches in a 10 gallon tank with a betta. They get along fine. But I also have two dwarf frogs, 2 corys, and a rubberlip pleco. They all get along fine. It would be perfect, but they need different food. I give my betta bloodworms, and flakes. And my bottom feeders some wafers. They all basically ignore each other.

Goodluck!!

Answer 3

10 gallons will be fine. Bettas and loaches will get along, so don't worry. Just be sure to get a heater and filter and cycle the tank before you add the fish.

Answer 4

WOW! do not put four of those loaches in there! maybe one MAYBE they get to be atleast 4 inches!

Answer 5

That should be OK in a 10 gal tank, Give the loaches plenty of hiding spots and the betta will probably not even notice them.

A bigger tank is allways better, but you should be able to make that tank work, just keep up the water changes.

The Kuhli are very slim bodied, so even though they might grow to 4" long in time, you can compare them to a 2" normal shaped fish as far as body mass and bioload goes. A 4" kuhli is NOT the same as a 4" angelfish, a 4" Angelfish would be bigger then 4 or 5 kuhlis. They also dont need the same open swimming space like a normal 4" fish would. They are happy to spend their time fossicking under a log or in the plants.

Ian