Cohabiting Loaches

[missbuggz]

Hi guys - wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of loaches live well together? We have 4 kuhli loaches in a tank with a male Siamese fighter, all of whom get along very well - our main concern is we want a couple more loaches but don't want the betta to be nipped/harassed/bullied. Love the look of the Pakistani loaches but not sure how they'll get along with bettas... especially this showoff! Any ideas or suggestions?

- missbuggz

[Bully]

A little more information will be required before a definite answer can be given

What are the dimensions of the tank? What are your water parameters? How long has the tank been set up? What filtration do you have? What decor do you have? What species of fish is the "algae eater"?

Generally I would advise against keeping any loaches with a B. splendens.

[Doc]

I'd look at adding more Pangio species, either the same as you already have or perhaps another species. This is of course based on you having the room to add more fish. As Bully has asked what is the tank size and your water parameters.

[missbuggz]

I have NO idea what species the algae eater is, I'm sorry. My partner bought him and I can't get hold of him at work to ask. I do have a pic, if you can tell me?



Interestingly enough, the loaches and the betta get along splendidly... he'll have a go at their sinking pellets occasionally but he actually seems to like them. They all sleep (almost nest) in the same plant in the corner of the tank behind the heater. Sometimes on top of each other.[/img]

[Doc]

That is a Chinese Algae Eater, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri. A fairly decent algae eating fish when young, but they are apt to get territorial as they age and will target other fish, especially large sided slow moving fish.

[Diana]

Depends on the size of the tank, but more kuhlies would be my first choice, or a school of Zebra Loaches might be OK.
How long is the tank?