Loaches Online Forum

I am getting a 125 gal tank (this weekend it will be ready! YAY!) 72"x18" is the foot print of it. I wanted some opinions about tankmates...

3 Pictus cats (have already - seem good w/ the clowns)
6 clown loaches (I have 4, am going to add 2)
1 rubber nose pleco (max size - 4 in.) (already have)
1 L200 pleco (max size 8 in) (don't have)
1 smaller pleco from exotic finds (max size 4 in, thinking hypancistrus - first one on the pleco page) (don't have)
6 angelfish (don't have)

I will have two rena xP2 (75 gal capacity for each) and a penguin 150 (30 gallon capacity), with an oxygen wand (rubber nose likes good oxygenation and clean water!) The tank will be planted w/ various low-light plants (I have 2 anubias on bogwood and 2 swords right now but would like to have a medium - ly planted tank - w/ some rock caves/houses and PVC caves I am making... so plenty of houses for all! I have already cycled my two rena filters for t his tank off my 65 gallon, and will move everything from my 65 gallon. I calculated adult length and they should stocking wise all be ok, I think. Does this seem doable? will the clowns/plecos get together OK? I have a common pleco right now ( 5" -that I will give to my LFS - I already asked if they would take him, I just can NOT send him back to petsmart!) and he could care less about them, they are even sharing a cantaloupe right now....

any thoughts?
Thank you!
Jade

Sounds like a nice tank, Jade! My only experience with plecos and clowns is with a common plec, he's been with them since he was an inch-long baby and is now about 9". He shares the food, doesn't quarrel, gets along fine.

Others may disagree, but I'd be careful with the angels. They are territorial as they get older and in my experience, become more trouble than they are worth with their constant bickering. Tetras or rasboras are better dithers, IMHO.

Can't wait to see your pics!


Kate

I will definitely post pictures - I'll need suggestions on plants/background anyway since I have not 100% decided on these. As for the Tetras etc... I have (by some miracle) 2 neon's left (I have had these particular 2 for 2 years) Any other tetra quickly becomes a very expensive pictus cat meal.... . SO I need some good medium-big middle/top swimmers... and I can't find any I like that get around 5 inches, that I could get 6 of! I did get warned I would need to move 2 of them once they get full grown back into my 65 gallon. so I am not sure 100% on the angels (or how many) but I DO like them.... I am not running my 65 gallon once I get my 125, at least not until I can buy another filter and find a place to put it! I am already broke with this tank and getting it all set up with plants/rocks and stocked will take a little while... but that is OK. It will be worth it....

You might check out spanner barbs (aka t-barbs). They are good middle-top swimmers and grow to be about 5-7 ". Also, they aren't easily bullied.


Kate

The filters are not enough. I have used 2 Fluval 404s on a 125 gallon. They do about the same as the XP3. XP2 is too small.
"Oxygen Wand" Don't fool yourself by giving it a name it does not deserve. Bubble wands can increase the water movement, but they only indirectly add oxygen, and not much of it.
Stocking list sounds fine. There are a lot of smaller Loricariads that would work well. If algae control is the main objective then a Bristlenose would be a very good choice. If you are getting another Loricariad just because you like them (I do too!) then there are quite a few to choose from, some are good algae eaters, some are not. Have you seen any Sturisoma or Farlowella in your area?
I have had a mated pair of Angels in a 6' long tank, and for this pair the tank was plenty of room. They claimed about 18" long at one end, and another Angel was safe as long as she stayed at the far end.

Other schooling, slightly larger fish:
Rainbows (several species, and most really like LOTS of water movement, just like many Loaches)
Congo Tetras
Other Barbs. (I have had Spanner Barbs. They are pretty when they are young, but their colors are not as intense when they grow up)
Giant Danios, Inle Danios and similar, larger Danios. (Check the temperature requirements)

yes I just like plecos. The L200 I think actually only gets 6 in. I rechecked planet catfish. I think I will look into other mid swimmere or only get 3-4 angels. I will also keep on the look out for another filter. Thanks!

Be aware that if you get a group of juvenile angels they will pair up at some point. If you get 4 and are lucky you will have 2 pair that will squabble over territory. If you get 1 pair the other two will be constantly fighting to pair up with the one of the opposite sex and there will be continual warfare and most likely injuries. Eventually, they would probably sort it out, but it depends largely on the temperament of the individual fish. Some give up easily and will take up residence far from the pair, others will not, or will for a time and then go back for another try.

A pair of angels in your tank (or even 2 pair) would be fine, but they don't like fast moving water and need open space for finnage - especially depth.
They may not be the best choice for your tank. A nice shoal of rainbows or a large school of smaller dithers like barbs or tetras would probably be better.