exodons with clown loaches?

[jv72]

I saw this really cool tetra species at the LFS yesterday called Exodons, a larger tetra. The store had them in a display tank with clown loaches and cichlids. The store owner said they're a great mid-level swimming fish that has had no problems with the cichlids and loaches. In all my internet readings today everything says these guys are too aggressive for community tanks. I have read they are fine with catfish of all types and, again, the LFS keeps them with loaches.

The readings make me a bit leary...does anyone here know about exodons or have any experience keeping them with clown loaches? I just want to be extra safe. But I think they'd be an awesome addition as far a s "look and feel" for my tank go. My suspicion is they are probably more of a threat to similar, scaled species (like smaller tetras and so forth), but OK with loaches.

[adam]

Ive kept Exodon Paradoxis with all types of Loaches and never saw any interaction between the two. They are agressive Characins but if kept in a good school they mainly beat on eath other. Cichlids also i havent noticed any interaction but the smaller more peacefull ones probably wont do good. I would say NO to Apisto types and no to say keyholes. They never interacted with my Corys either. Georgeus schooling fish.

[jv72]

Cool! Thanks Adam. That helps to hear of another successful case (I've grown to not just trust what I see and hear at the LFS's since they've lead me astray in the past...the fact they had a display tank with the combo was of course a good sign).

Exodons do look awesome. I think I'll get a small school. I have no schooling fish in my 55G right now, just a 2 clowns, 2 ctenopoma's (aka climbing perch or leopard bushfish), 2 amecas and 3 corys. I'll be very interested to see how the amecas get along with them, since they too have a lot of gumption and bravery for a small fish. My only fear now is that my Ctenopoma's might get harassed (these guys are pretty bad predators, but at the same time a bit timid toward aggressive fish, the amecas love teasing them, but not to any extreme). Any experience with that combo? (I'm banking on the fact that since they are such different fish, they will ignore each other...most reports seem to focus on exodons terrorizing similar schooling fish...)

[jv72]

FYI, just to post my experience so far with this combo in case anyone else is curious in the future...I got the exodons afterall the night before last. So far they are working out fine with the loaches, ctenopomas, and cories, as I would have expected. They don't even seem to recognize each others existence. However, it has been tense between the amecas and exodons. The amecas used to practically rule the tank, but the exodons have definitely put them in their place. The exodons already rule the middle layer of the tank and if the amecas enter, they chase them away immediately. I've noticed some lost scales on the amecas too, another common report about exodons and their appetite for scales! The loaches and others can swim right in front of the exodons though and the exodons do not react at all (just as Adam reported and with the display tank at the LFS).

But, yesterday the amecas seem to be figuring out how to coexist. They spend more time at the bottom and top, and only cautiously enter the middle for brief periods. So I think they'll ultimately be OK, if not a bit humbled.

Exodons are really cool, yet a bit hyper. If you want some fast, active schooling tetra-like fish with your loaches, they work fine. And they can hold their own so aren't at risk of being eaten by predatory fish (apparently they are commonly kept with cichlids too). But if you like the peaceful pace, they may be too hyper for you.

Thanks again Adam.

[jv72]

Don't worry, this will be my last post on this thread...just wanted to mention the amecas have impressed me again. After 2 days, they have reasserted their place in the tank. They chase the exodons off more than vice-versa now. But in general they are all getting along.