Loach Species combinations

[Directorate]

Hi again. At the moment I have 3 Kubotais and 1 yoyo, in a 130 gallon tank with I think-fairly good filtration (2Xpowerheads 1600L/hr max, and top filter with spray bar).

Would it be too many loaches to keep say: 5 Kubotais, 3 yoyos, 7 clowns and 7 other miscellaneous Loaches roughly the size of yoyos?

Also, should I get more yoyos? Or will the yoyo loach be happy hanging around with a pack of Kubotais. Since I do like Kubotais.

thanks

[piggy4]

Hi Directorate, sounds as though your tank would be adequate for a number of Botia's, just make sure there are plenty of hide outs for your fish i.e. giving them soewhere to retreat if the situation arises, i.e a scuffle or dispute , a lot of stocking numbers can be determined by the amount of husbandry you are willing to administer i.e. water changes , [at least once a week!] most of my tanks contain at least 2 sp/s sometimes more ,of the Botia group, in one tank i have a group of B .Dario's , some B. Rostratas, and B,Almorhae's, and 4 Syncrossus Berdmorei ! along with a number of various Cyprinids [Barbs,Sharks, etc ,etc ] the Botias get along fine , i m o, one of the main things a succesful aquarium needs is a stable PH, along with the aforementioned weekly water changes !
Good luck.
Andy .

[Mark in Vancouver]

When you say 7 miscellaneous loaches - just bear in mind that none of the Bottid species want to be kept on their own in terms of species mixes. I would say that those 7 misc. species should all be B. histrionica or B. striata. Not a mix.

[Directorate]

When you say 7 miscellaneous loaches - just bear in mind that none of the Bottid species want to be kept on their own in terms of species mixes. I would say that those 7 misc. species should all be B. histrionica or B. striata. Not a mix.

I see.

[Tinman]

Sticking with additional Kubs or Yo-Yos would be a much better combination.
Many different specie mixed is not as impressive as many of the same. The actions of the fish will be more animated with the additions of similar specie.
Clowns ,Kubs and Yo-yos would be enough and even better than adding in a fourth specie by far for action and inter-action.
10 of each with seven Clowns would be fine for many years until the Clowns got past 8" or so when a 6' or 2 m tank would be required.
Any loach Specie will interact some but will do much more and get along better when with its own kind.

[Mike Lang]

Hello all. I've been keeping "clowns", Botia, M. for a number of years and just set up a 75 gallon tank for them. I have 4 adults in the 4-5 inch SL size and 4 new ones, less than an inch SL. Additionally, the tank has an 8 inch SL Synodontis Eupterus and a couple Pimlodella Pictus cats. Everyone gets along pretty well. The Syno likes to chase the clowns, but they mostly ignore him and no harm seems to come from it. I've recently "discovered" Tiger loaches and would love to add a few to my new tank, but my reading indicates that they are pretty aggressive. Any chance they could work in a mix like I have, or should I set up a tank for them alone??....Currently the tank has a Rena XP3 canister and an Aqua Clear 500 HOB, both set up with a linear flow from right to left in the tank..........Thanks

[Tinman]

I've recently "discovered" Tiger loaches and would love to add a few to my new tank, but my reading indicates that they are pretty aggressive. Any chance they could work in a mix like I have

No way with the Clowns imho . I have mine specie specific .They should be in large groups of 10 for the best results.

[bslindgren]

Sticking with additional Kubs or Yo-Yos would be a much better combination.

My sentiments exactly!

[SomethingFishy]

So which loaches do go well with Clown Loaches?

[Tinman]

So which loaches do go well with Clown Loaches?

Kubotia
Dario
Almorhae
Robusto
Striata
Rostrata (I have never had these though)
and some Hillstreams
off my head, maybe others can add some more.
I do not keep any Syncrossus(TIgers) or Modesta nor Morleti with them anymore as mature specimans of these get moody at times to say the least and really get to chasing and causing problems at times or all the time.
Shari says it best though.....Your mileage may vary

[shari2]

I believe that mileage thingy is a Martinism, Tinman. I just happen to agree with it.

[SomethingFishy]

So which loaches do go well with Clown Loaches?

Kubotia
Dario
Almorhae
Robusto
Striata
Rostrata (I have never had these though)
and some Hillstreams
off my head, maybe others can add some more.
I do not keep any Syncrossus(TIgers) or Modesta nor Morleti with them anymore as mature specimans of these get moody at times to say the least and really get to chasing and causing problems at times or all the time.
Shari says it best though.....Your mileage may vary

Thanks for the info Tinman.