Loaches Online Forum

OK, it's me again, the one who posted about Exodons and Clown Loaches. I took the Exodons back to the LFS afterall. They were eating the scales of my 2 ctenopomas and my Amecas, the ctenopomas are my second favorite fish after the Clowns. And, while they didn't bother my 2 clowns, I did notice the clowns were much less active and hid alot more once adding the Exodons. Basically, I think the Exodons were disruptive of the general peace of the tank.

So, again, I have a 55G tank with 2 AquaClear HOBs (both the 50G capacity onces for 100G total capacity). I now have 2 Clowns (one just over 3 inches and one only about 2 inches), 2 ameca splendes, 2 ctenopomas (about 4 inches each) and 2 cory cats. I want to add a 3rd clown and 1 other type of fish (and, I do realize in about 3-4 years I will likely have to get a bigger tank).

I'm debating between either 3-4 zebra loaches or 3-4 rainbow fish. Any thoughts on which would be better, OR if I should consider something else? Definitely want peaceful tankmates since all mine right now get along great and are peaceful (yes, the ctenopoma's may be predators and dangerous for small fish, but their actual behavior is very placid...and they play with the loaches alot, great combo).

Thanks!

i'd go with the rainbows, the striata's as much as i like them will become hide and seek merchants when they get bigger.
the rainbows will always be in view for you.

mick

thanks mick. good point on the visibility issue. anyone with any other thoughts or considerations? anyone else have rainbows with loaches or ctenopomas?

Il second the rainbows but Im a big barb fan aswell (Id suggest a group of 5, one you don't want to overstock, but they do best in groups so 5 individuals should lean toward that), so it would be a toss up between those for me.

To be honest, I would also suggest you add a couple more clowns, maybe get a group of 5-6 instead of another species of loach-they are very very social and if you can give the space I would reccomend it, especially if you will be upgrading in a few years.

Ashleigh

thanks to you too ashleigh! so it's 2-0 for the rainbows. i do think barbs are way cool, however from what i've read i'm pretty sure they would be hard on my ctenopomas. aggressive, even semi-aggressive, fish really freak them out. they are good-sized predators, but a very slow and somewhat timid demeanor. i'm afraid the barb experience might be like the exodon experience (though barbs probably aren't scale eaters!). or, are there barbs that do not fit the mold i describe?

Well at the moment I keep;

Puntius johorensis

Puntius nigrofasciatus

Puntius titteya (These might be a bit small being kept with ctenopomas species)

Puntius denisonii

I used to have a few others but the ones I have now I love All are relaxed and peaceful-no aggression at all. I have no experience with ctenopomas so I cannot comment how they would interact with them but they don't bother tetras small enough to fit in the Puntius johorensis mouth if thats any help It really depends on the species-I know Mick keeps quite a few species, it also depends I guess on the number you keep aswell.

Ashleigh

i agree with Mickthefish. i love my striata, but he is right about them hiding.

getting more clowns instead is definately a good idea too