New Tank

[TBM]

Hi all, I've spent near on 3 hours reading this wonderful site.

I am currently deciding on what fish i would like in my 3ft 150ltr tank.

My most basic question is this. Would it be appropriate to house 15to 20 neon tetras with 5 Zebra Loaches?

I basically want to build my tank to be primarily for tetras, I mean I would like it to be well planted and of low light to satisfy the tetras.

I know tetras like soft water with a PH of about 7 and according to the information on Zebra Loaches they would also be well suited to this.

Are the Loaches peaceful enough to not attempt to eat the tetras?

And are there any other potential issues with what I have in mind?

I am not an expert, obviously, but I do really want to become an accomplished hobbyist so all your honest information will be well recieved.

[mickthefish]

TBM, i think most people will tiptoe round this question.
my striata are with medium sized fish so i don't see any aggression from them but with neons, if the striata made a target at them there could be mayhem.
most people think fish have'nt got a brain, i beg to differ they can be toerags, inquisitive to downright nosey and most important each fish has a personality.

if you want a tetra tank, fish such as kuhli's or lepidocephalus guntea's would compliment the tank.

hope i haven't put a spoke in it for you.

mick

[Tinman]

I have Rumy nose Tetras with striata ,They are quite complimentary. The Neons get that dreaded Neon disease so it is risky to keep them with the more expensive loaches, past that Neons live only 2 years .I would also lean against it although I keep both,I do not keep them in the same tank. I keep my neons in a separate system after suffering through their inherent problems. Here is a link to one of the sites that came up as I Googled the disease.It is contagious and seldom cured. I do like them also. The Rumy Nosed get a bit larger so that is why I prefer them besides this other deal....I am not a tiptoer

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdntd.htm

[kimura]

i currenltly have 8 rummy nose tetras with 8 straitas in a 40 gallon breeder tank and havent seen a problem. i've had some of these tetras for over two years previously in other tanks with many different botias and never saw a problem. i agree with the above poster: loaches have individual personalities so anything is possible. planted tanks are the way to go...... good luck.

[TBM]

Thanks all.

Yes, I am familiar with all the illnesses but in 3 years have only encountered Ick. My mum has neons at the moment, has had for about 8 months now and they are still healthy. (touchwood)

I will stear clear of bigger fish as tanks mates.

I will go visit my LFS's and see what Loaches they can get in apart from Clowns, (tried to sell one to my Mum for her 80ltr tank, that's what has caused me to become acitively interested )

I'm starting to get pretty fond of Loaches and definitely want to give it a go, but only if it is the right thing to do and at this point, only if I can do it in the community setting.

[mickthefish]

TBM are you from the UK ?, if so we seem to have more choice of loaches than in some parts of the US.

mick

[plaalye]

I've had 2 striata and 3 Kubotai in with 9 neons now for several months in my 29gal with no problems at all. I do have plants and it's over-filtered with an AC 70. They actually seem to like each other! I'm a newbie and I got them all before I found this site. I realize now that I need a bigger tank and more loaches and hope to accommodate them before too long!

[newshound]

for years I have kept a large school of neons with mature dario, striata, kubs, and clowns. I really only enjoy loaches so I bought colourful fish for the unwashed masses. LOL Never had a problem with the loaches and neons.
One of my striata took out the eyes of my hatchet fish. No such problem with the neons.
The one problem I see is that neons have such as short life span that I'd have to buy new neons every six months to make up for the older ones dieing off. I use a Qtank so that means yet another tank to keep running.
I have only three neons left now out of the school of about 25 that I had for the past four years constantly adding new neons to to keep the #s up.
forgot about this image
check out my photo album
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/ne ... frenzy.jpg

[TBM]

TBM are you from the UK ?, if so we seem to have more choice of loaches than in some parts of the US.

mick

Hi mick, I'm in Aus. My Town/City is only about 60K people so I'm limited.

Spoke to a bloke at the shop today and he says that really, only Kuhli's and Clowns are readily available. Suits me cos I've decided to get Kuhlis.

I've heard that with the ideal environment tetra's can live well beyond a year. Let's hope I can provide them with something decent and have them live for awhile.

This new tank Is my first decent sized tank. I have a 60ltr with 4 female and 1 male fighter, they are into their 3rd year still alive! (yay me)
And another 60 litre with 3 male and 7 female Guppies, they are only 8 months young.

I reckon my next tank will be huge and ready for all sorts of Loaches cos they are cute. I think sometimes that when I find a great community who are experts and passionate i'm more inclined to embrace that particular field.

Thanks for the replies anyways.

[helen nightingale]

it sounds like you are being very wise

i hope you enjoy the kuhlies, and later on you get that huge tank you are after

[TBM]

Thanks helen

Don't know where it will fit, but that's what I said about this one!