Loaches Online Forum

I'm getting a 180gallon tank for my 4 clowns and 3 yo-yos, but i'm going to need some help as to what the lone 2 (yes i'll get about two more) of my zebra loaches would like to have as their tankmates. (zebras are botia striatas). it's a 30gallon tank, cube. it's other inhabitants will be 2 otos and 3 angelfish with one bolivian ram. what could i put with these guys that doesn't get too big and will get along with the zebras and other fish?

i wouldn't add any more fish than what you already have. i have six striatas in a 20L and want to move them to a 40BR (18 inches front to back and 3 feet long and i think about 16 inches tall....i had them with my clowns in a five foot tank but they got sick and the tank seemed too busy with the five clowns as well as six striatas and a couple of other fish for dithers. the striatas alone in the 20L are a lively group especially since the java fern has grown and is quite tall...there's lots of wood and rocks for them to bury themselves under and they love to chase and play most of the day and night. i really like them by themselves. so i guess that's no help!! : ))

what type of a footprint, size i mean, does a 30 cube have? the one thing about the 20L (i think it's 30" long) is that it is a bit small for them, imo. they can really swim out and loved the five foot long tank they were in, but, as i said above, it didn't work out so well other than for the great swimming space they had.

it's 20" (length width and height)

the angelfish are NOT in there yet, but I really want to put them in there with them... i love angel fish. i don't know what else i'd put in there... need some ideas on that as well...

ah well that's a nice bit of ground space...not much length though it seems.

what is the swimming behavior of the striatas in this situation?....curiosity causes me to ask as i've seen less full out swimming with mine in a 30" long environment. maybe that aspect is irrelevant....dunno.

they're ALWAYS out 24/7 or they're sleeping ontop of a plant or on one of the ornaments, but they'll always come out. one eats out of my hand... they're great i want more, but i do want angels. they never bugged the bettas.