PetsMart Cares
Pets purchased at PetSmart are part of our
exclusive Vet Assured™ program; a program
designed by PetSmart veterinarians to help
improve the health and well-being of our pets.
The program includes:
• Specific standards our vendors agree to
meet in caring for and observing pets for
common illnesses.
• Specific standards for in-store pet care.
• The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes ill
during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re
not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly
replace the pet or refund the purchase price.
Water Quality testing
PetSmart offers free aquarium water testing. By
bringing in a sample of your aquarium water, we
can test the quality within minutes. See the guide
on Setting Up an Aquarium for more information
about water quality and water testing.
• Unusual swimming pattern
• Thinness or decreased appetite
• Abdominal swelling
• Inflamed or discolored skin or fins
• Fins clamped to sides of body
• Scraping body on rocks (flashing)
If you notice any of the signs described above,
speak with a PetSmart store associate or a
veterinarian about the health of your pet.
A glass or acrylic aquarium appropriately
sized for the selected species and number
of fish
Aquarium stand
Aquarium hood with light fixture and bulbs
AQA621_Loaches_CG.indd 1
eXPerienCe leVel:
interMeDiate
Automatic timer, if desired
step 2: Filtration and Heating
Filtration system (see associate for
best solution)
14+
Aquarium heater and thermometer
Aquarium beneficial bacteria starter
step 3: substrate and Decor
Rounded aquarium gravel or sand
Size
Habitat
Decorations (driftwood/rock/ornament)
Air-powered ornaments, with air pump and
tubing, if desired
Lifespan
14++
Size
Habitat
nutrition and Maintenance
Flake food/pelleted food
Frozen or freeze-dried supplements
Algae cleaning pad or scraper
Fish net
Habitat
Gravel vacuum (for water changes)
Water conditioner/dechlorinator
©2011 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball
Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc.
Approximately 10-15 years
Up to 12" (30 cm) long
Semi-aggressive aquarium;
Kuhli Loaches in a
community aquarium
Lifespan
Water test kit/strips
This Care Guide contains general information
regarding the proper care of your pet, but is
not comprehensive. For more information, visit
petsmart.com or see additional
Aquatic Care Guides.
AQA621
IncLudes:
GoLden dojo, skunk, kuhLI,
cLown, Zebra, Yo Yo botIa,
redtaIL botIa, anGeLIcus botIa
step 1: Choosing an aquarium
Live plants and/or artificial plants
tHings tO WatCH FOr
Loaches
sHOPPing list
Did you Know?
Loaches are generally peaceful with fish of the
same size and temperament. Many species prefer
to swim in schools of five or more fish. You will
see most Loaches swimming near the
Habitat
bottom of your aquarium.
Habitat
PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and
approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For more
information on the care of pets, visit
petsmart.com/careguides
5/3/11 1:53 PM
STEP 1
Choosing an Aquarium
aquarium
Minimum aquarium size for Loaches that grow up
to 4" long should be 10 gallons, those growing up
to 6" long need at least a 20-gallon aquarium, up
to 10" long need a 29-gallon aquarium and more
than 10" need a 40-gallon or larger aquarium.
a
•
aquarium stand
B• An appropriate aquarium stand will safely support
the weight of your filled aquarium. Aquariums
weigh as much as 10 lbs. per gallon capacity and
require strong stands.
• Locate your aquarium in a low-traffic area, away
from direct sunlight and drafts.
Hood and light Fixture
Place an aquarium hood with light fixtures on the
aquarium to reduce water evaporation, splashing,
and fish jumping out.
C•
STEP 3
Substrate and Decor
Nutrition & Maintenance
aquarium gravel
Use smooth-edged aquarium gravel or sand to
protect the Loaches’ delicate sensory barbels.
nutrition
• Choose a sinking pelleted food of the
appropriate size for your Loach as its staple diet.
• Add 1.5 lbs. (680 g) of aquarium gravel or sand
for every gallon (4 L) of tank capacity to make a
2-3" (5-8 cm) layer on the bottom of the aquarium.
Rinse the gravel in a clean container before
adding it to the aquarium.
• Feed your fish as much food as they will consume
in three minutes, twice a day.
Plants
Decorate the aquarium with live or artificial
plants; some Loaches species may eat live plants.
• Avoid overfeeding, as this is a common cause of
water quality problems and fish loss.
F•
G
•
Ornaments and rocks
H• Make sure rocks have smooth edges, and that
any holes are large enough for the Loaches to get
in and out of without getting trapped.
C
• The light should be on for 8-12 hours a day. Turn
it on during the morning feeding, and off after the
evening feeding, or use an automatic timer.
E
• Vary the fish’s diet by including frozen (thaw first)
or freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex
worms and other foods.
Maintenance
Maintaining a healthy environment for your fish is
an ongoing commitment. A newly set up aquarium
requires more frequent monitoring with weekly
water testing and changing if necessary. Once
the water quality is stable, you can keep your
aquarium in great shape with minimal effort by
following this schedule:
D
Maintenance Schedule
Feed fish twice daily.
STEP 2
Filtration and Heating
E
a
G
H
Filtration (mechanical and biological)
D
• Undergravel filters or power filters will provide
aeration and filtration for the aquarium. Consult
filter package for appropriate filter size.
• The filter should move the water in the aquarium
through the filter media 3-5 times per hour
(e.g., a filter for a 20-gallon aquarium should
filter 60-100 gallons of water per hour).
• Add beneficial bacteria supplements to
your aquarium to promote biological waste
break down.
Water Heater and thermometer
E• Use an aquarium heater to maintain the water
temperature. The general rule for aquarium
heaters is five watts of power for each gallon of
aquarium water. For large aquariums, it is better
to divide this into two heaters, one at each end of
the tank, rather than using one large heater.
• Water temperature for Loaches should range
between 65-80º F (18-27º C).
AQA621_Loaches_CG.indd 2
Daily
Check water temperature and general health
of fish.
Remove 10% of the water and replace with
dechlorinated water.
F
Weekly
Test water quality in new aquariums.
Scrub glass to remove algae, if necessary.
B
See the informative care guide on Setting Up an
Aquarium for more details.
Adding Fish
acclimation
• Whether starting a new aquarium or adding to an
existing aquarium, only add 1-3 new fish at a time
to avoid problems associated with water quality.
• Float the bag for 10 minutes to equalize
temperature before adding fish.
• Add fish to the aquarium with a net, avoiding the
addition of bag water to the aquarium.
Vacuum gravel and replace 25% of water with
dechlorinated water.
Test water quality in established aquariums.
Monthly
Perform filter maintenance (i.e., replace filter
cartridge, replace carbon, rinse pre-filter, etc.).
Scrub algae and prune live plants, if necessary.
Always add a dechlorinator or water conditioner
to tap water before adding it to the aquarium. Do
not use soaps or detergents to clean aquarium or
decor, as they are toxic to fish.
Always wash your hands before and after handling
fish or cleaning the aquarium.
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