I'm a new member, hopling for some help/advice - thanks!

I have a 60l coldwater tank with one oranda (who I've had for 4 years now), three dannios (there were more but oranda ate them..) and one sucking loach (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri).

Lately the loach has become aggressive towards the oranda - and oranda now looking very sick. I have separated the loach in to a holding tank and now need to either rehome it or set up a separate tank pronto.

I don't really have houseroom for a second tank - is it realistic that someone might want to rehome the loach, and if so how should I advertise? have put on gumtree so far!

Am based in York. Thanks for any advice and tips.

Am hoping oranda will recover as am very fond of...

Yeah put him up on classifieds, or see if a LFS will take it off your hands (for free).

Sucking loach are ideal when small - quite calm and do a good job on keeping the glass clean. Once larger, perhaps sexually mature, they will become more aggressive and have less interest on algae.

Hi

Try Aquarist Classifieds and the PFK Market Place too, but if all else fails take it back to the shop you bought it from as they should never have sold it to be housed with Goldfish; it's a tropical fish, and they certainly shouldn't have sold it for a 60 litre tank as it will get very large and aggressive. They shouldn't have sold you Danios to keep with an Oranda either becasue as you've found, Goldfish will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. It would be worth considering rehoming the remaining three as well.

Finally, your Oranda is going to need a bigger tank as a long term home. They grow to a very large size and need at least 140 litres to thrive and avoid stunting. See this article for details.

Hi

I was in the same position and Sheffield Fish Rescue rehomed my loach.

http://sheffieldfishrescuerspca.webs.com/

Thanks to everyone for these helpful suggestions and advice.

I have successfully returned the loach today to the shop where I bought it - they did say that they have now changed their policy and would not now sell a sucking loach to be in with a goldfish - so I guess that is something.

Oranda is looking a bit healthier today, so am hoping for best. Many thanks again.