Looking for BIG loach tankmates

[PASoracco]

Howdy all. I'll soon be upgrading from my 75 to a 180g aquarium, and have been thinking about some larger tankmates for my loaches. The new tank will have schools of clowns, kubs, yoyos and darios as well as bleeding heart and blind cave tetras as dithers. I was thinking about adding 1-5 larger mid/upper-level fish to this mix, and was trying to find an appropriate match. I want something big enough to have character and presence, but still be a peaceful addition to my community tank and pose no threat to my loaches. The largest fish in the tank will be my 10" standard plec and the smallest would be a juvi bleeding heart or dario.

I know larger chiclids are too aggressive, balas get too big/are too skitish, high bands are cold water and get huge, even a small aro would eat everything, etc etc. I was thinking a knife fish of some kind, but have not had much luck with them in the past; I owned a 6" one for a while, and my clown loaches really didn't seem to get along with it. Maybe elephant noses? Their species profiles generally say they are peaceful, but give a max size ranging from 8" to 14" and give varying information about whether they should be kept solo or in schools; does anyone have any personal experience with these fish? Maybe medium or large gouramis? any other suggestions for interesting larger fish? It doesn't have to be colorful, or do tricks, I just want the right fish for my tank. thanks!

[glenna]

I don't know how "big" you are thinking. What about denison barbs? They get up to 6 inches, are peaceful and beautiful. Lovely schooling fish, They say max temp f 77F, but I think they do fine up to 80F and the loaches will be happy there.I am planning an adding them to my 125 gallon with my clowns and rainbow fish. You might be looking for something more dramatic, however, esp if you are looking at elephantnose!

[andyroo]

there are some spiny-eel collectors on this forum. Pure personality apparently, and quite pretty.

[PASoracco]

I don't know how "big" you are thinking. What about denison barbs? They get up to 6 inches, are peaceful and beautiful. Lovely schooling fish, They say max temp f 77F, but I think they do fine up to 80F and the loaches will be happy there.I am planning an adding them to my 125 gallon with my clowns and rainbow fish. You might be looking for something more dramatic, however, esp if you are looking at elephantnose!

I was thinking something in the 6"-12" range. I'm not necessarily looking for an oddball, I just want something completely different that the rest of the fish I already have. Also, its the biggest community tank I've ever had and I want to take advantage of all the space with a larger species.

The elephant noses looked good because they were large, peaceful, and would accept the same water conditions and food as my loaches. My major concern with them is the amount of water flow in the tank stressing them out, but I don't have personal experience with them.

there are some spiny-eel collectors on this forum. Pure personality apparently, and quite pretty.

An eel could be a very cool addition, but I know nothing about fresh water eels. Spiny eels range from 12"-40" in size, and vary in temperament ; I hope someone who owns one chimes in.

[andyroo]

the most violent water on the Congo is dominated by an assortment of elephant nose-types. (hundreds of species)
I wouldn't worry about them in a little flow.
A

[andyroo]

also check out Flagtail Prochilodus, though apparently they have a thing for eating plants....

[Diana]

I have Snakeskin Gouramis, Filamentosa barbs, Senegal Bichers, a Black Ghost Knife, 2 Plecos, a Pim type of catfish and a Discus in my 125 with Clown Loaches.

I would not suggest the Bichers, then are predators that can handle surprisingly large fish. The Pim type of catfish is probably also a predator, but nice looking. Body a bit like Pimelodus pictus, but color more of a reticulated tan and cream. He (she?) is about 5" long.

I will offer to sell you my Filamentosa Barbs (5 males) $8 each, take all of them. The barbs are a little bit hard on the plants, not really chowing down on them, but nibbling a bit.
Snakeshin Gouramis (1M + 1F) $20 for the pair. I like the Gouramis, but I really need to get rid of some of my fish.
BGK $40.00 I like the BGK, but again, I need to thin out the tank.
Pim sort of Cat $15.00 Warning: will probably prey on your smaller fish.
Bichers (4) from 6-10", $25-$35 each. Known predators, and will prey on the smaller fish you list.
Unknown Plec. Sold as a Common, but has not grown bigger than about 6", and is darker than any common I have seen. $10.00
1 Festivum, in a different tank, adult $10.00.

Pick up at my house (Conta Costa County), or local delivery available if you take enough of them, but I won't ship them.

Discus, Bristlenose Plec and Loaches are not for sale.

PM me if you are interested.