a question for you experts

[helen nightingale]

i have got a 5" tank which i would like to set up as a loach tank. i just cant decide which would be best to keep together!

i currently have botia striata and botia almorhae, kept with rasboras and danios, in two smaller tanks. the striata are shy but cheeky, and 2 of the almorhae are a bit agressive - hence the 2 tanks at the moment.

what other botia type loaches would you suggest i could keep with either or both of mine? As far as understand, the botiine species have been reclassified so there arent as many actual botias as there were, but thats the type of loach i would like to get. im not so keen on the chinese hillstream type loaches.

i dont know whether to go for more peaceful loaches to go with the striata and try and find some Etroplus canarensis indian cichlids to go with them, or to go for more lively/semi-agressive species to keep with the almorhae, or something in between. its a major confusion.


i was thinking about having water parameters of pH 6-7, temp 22-28 ish and soft water, but obviusly that depends on the species. what do you reckon?

i am also really tempted by the syncrossus species, but i realise these can get big, and are really lively and agressive, so i think i may end up saving up more money and getting another big tank for these too. i do try and tell myself theres nothing wrong with obsession!

thanks!

helen

[Graeme Robson]

Additions to your existing chaps is most needed! 5 is the minimum magic number.

[NancyD]

How many of each do you have already? It's not clear if you have 2 yoyos or 2 aggressive ones of a larger group. I agree with Graeme, you should have a group of each species. I'd think a group of kubotai would work with either. I'm setting up a 75g for striatas & sidthimunkis, 6 of each. I've hardly ever seen them but you might try darios or histronicas. I suggest you stay away from skunks, modestas,eos & the tigers with the striatas at least as they are pretty aggressive, although 1 group MIGHT work with yoyos. Skunks are the only ones I've kept of those & I couldn't keep them for long. Clowns of course are wonderful but they'll evenually outgrow a 5 ft tank but not for quite a while.
Nancy

[helen nightingale]

thanks for that. i have 3 of each at the moment. the shop i used to get fish from said that 1 would be ok, but i realised that it wasnt, so i got a couple more. i hadnt realised the minimum you needed was higher, as some books/shops seem to say 3 is ok. some people in the shops dont seem to have a clue. the shop i got the yoyo from didnt even know it was a yoyo - and thats an award winning shop. the first thing i do will be to get more yoyos & striatas!

i have seen shops/books that say that skunks and eos are good community fish, but havent been convinced, so thanks for reassuring me about these. i think i will go with your suggestions, as i really dont think its worth having my lovely striatas getting hassled.

thank you very much

helen

[Graeme Robson]

It's been suggested for a while that 3 is the best minimum number to keep them. But me being me, i like to keep them in bigger groups.