Dolphin Loaches in a Community Tank

[robertprice]

Having acclimated my 3 inch Dolphin Loach to 76 degree water for a few months, I decided he should be big and hardy enough at 4.5 inches to put in my community 55. He has been in there a week with a Clown Knifefish, a Red Ceibal, a Chocolate Cichlid, a Synodontis catfish, a Prochilodus insignis, an albino Bichir and 3 Rainbow Cichlids. While still predominantly a bottom fish, he now grazes the rocks for missed pieces of food and algae, and fits in well with his tankmates, all of whom are rather mellow.

[stevem]

never heard of a dolphin loach
what does it look like and how big does it get?

[robertprice]

Dolphin Loaches are a species of Catastomid Loach that have been popular pets in the Orient, consequently they are Endangered in their native China. Although the few articles on them say they have never been bred, 2.5 to 3 inch ones have been popping up spradically. They can get over 1.5 feet long, but live for 15-20 years and are slow growers: sill not suitable for tanks under 55 gallons. They have the tallest dorsal fin of any fish I am aware of, and it starts right on their head. They are colored and banded like Killer Whales. They are peaceful omnivores, and can be seen by Googling "Images of Dolphin Loaches." Only the first picture is a true Myxocyprinus asiaticus Dolphin Loach.

[stevem]

they are very cool looking love the high dorsal fin
i have seen them before, didn't know they where called dolphin loaches