Catfish, Pleco and Loach Care Guides
Bottom-dwelling fish need more than leftover food. Give them a smooth sand or fine gravel substrate, hiding places and sinking foods. Corydoras and many loaches are social and do best in groups, while plecos can grow far larger than the juveniles sold in stores and need a tank sized for the adult.
Quick rules of thumb
- Feed sinking foods so bottom fish actually eat.
- Keep corydoras and most loaches in groups.
- Look up the adult size of any pleco before buying.
Catfish, Pleco and Loach guides
- Albino CoryCorydoras aeneus (albino variety)2.75 in · 20+ gal
- Assorted CorydorasCorydoras species2-3 in · 20+ gal
- Banjo CatfishBunocephalus species4 in · 20+ gal
- Botia LoachBotia species4-8 in · 40+ gal
- Bristlenose PlecoAncistrus sp.4-5 in · 25+ gal
- Bronze CoryCorydoras aeneus2.5 in · 20+ gal
- Chinese Algae EaterGyrinocheilus aymonieri10 in · 55+ gal
- Clown LoachChromobotia macracanthus8-12 in · 125+ gal
- Clown PlecoPanaqolus maccus4 in · 20+ gal
- Common PlecoHypostomus plecostomus15 in · 125+ gal
- Dojo LoachMisgurnus anguillicaudatus10 in · 55+ gal
- Dwarf Chain LoachAmbastaia sidthimunki2 in · 20+ gal
- Golden Nugget PlecoBaryancistrus xanthellus7 in · 55+ gal
- Hillstream LoachSewellia lineolata and related species2.5 in · 20+ gal
- Hoplo CatfishMegalechis thoracata7 in · 40+ gal
- Horseface LoachAcantopsis choirorhynchos8 in · 40+ gal
- Julii CoryCorydoras trilineatus2.5 in · 20+ gal
- Kuhli LoachPangio kuhlii4 in · 20+ gal
- OtocinclusOtocinclus sp.1.5-2 in · 15+ gal
- Panda CoryCorydoras panda2 in · 15+ gal
- Pygmy CoryCorydoras pygmaeus1 in · 10+ gal
- Raphael CatfishPlatydoras armatulus6 in · 40+ gal
- Royal PlecoPanaque nigrolineatus16 in · 125+ gal
- Skunk CoryCorydoras arcuatus2.25 in · 20+ gal
- Sterbai CoryCorydoras sterbai2.5 in · 20+ gal
- Synodontis CatfishSynodontis species4-10 in · 55+ gal
- Whiptail CatfishRineloricaria and Farlowella species5-7 in · 30+ gal
- Yoyo LoachBotia almorhae6 in · 40+ gal
- Zebra LoachBotia striata4 in · 30+ gal
- Zebra PlecoHypancistrus zebra3.5 in · 20+ gal
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
Pet Zone Convoy
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
Pet Zone Mid-City
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi