Loaches Online Forum

There are a couple, beautiful tiger loaches at an LFS. They have been there about 2 weeks. They are just over $5 and about 4" long each. I don't know what type they are. Maybe berdmorei or beauforti. 2 questions.

1.) Would they destroy my other fish: common plecos, gibby pleco, synodotonis eruptus, bicher, ropefish, sleeper gobies, raphaels, tiretrack eel, emporer pleco and Bristlenoses. I can take the Emporors and Bristlenoses out. The tank is well filtered, lots of flow, and lots of water changes. Lots of caves and places to hide. All these fish are 8" or bigger, except the raphaels, BNs and Emporors which are 4-6", and a 3" goby and a 4" goby. The gobies are fat and oblong. Everyone in this tank gets along.

2.) Would the other inhabitants hurt the tigers?

Is this possible? Hate that these beautiful fish spend their time at the LFS, but I also know these fish can be really aggressive. They are living with kubotai at the LFS. All are in nice shape.

What size tank are you thinking of adding them to? It sounds like a big tank, and this would be good. Everyone would have a place to call their own, and enough room to get away from another pushy fish.

If the Bichers and the S. eupterus are not eating the little Gobies, then probably the Tiger Loaches would be OK. My Bichers are confirmed predators, and I am leery of adding anything to their tank under 3". I do not think they could eat a fish 4" long and more or less a standard height. (No way would I put something like Kuhlies in there, though!)

Thanks Diana. The gobies are short, but very fat fish. These are wild caught Florida gobies. Even the small one is bigger around than my bichir. No one seems to have any problems in the tank, and of course, I am always afraid a new fish will upset the balance. But I hate to leave two beautiful tigers at an LFS. What a terrible fate.

I find that the berdmorei are less aggressive than the beauforti.

How large is your aquarium ?

If it is at least 4 feet long, go for it

Otherwise, if the tank is smaller, say 3 feet or less, I would not put either species of loach in there with that many other fish already there ...

If there are two of them I'd guess they will chase each other ,leaving the other occupants ? the only way is to try them ,if it doesnt work sell them on ,but I think you'd be pleasantly surprised ?

How large is your aquarium?

This is crucial for people to give you good advice.

I guess if, as you state, you have a dozen or more fish that are all 8" or bigger and some that will grow much bigger it must be at least a six foot aquarium? It sounds heavily stocked already to be honest.

You are correct. It is heavily stocked. Lots of filtration, lots of water changes, lots of flow and lots of hiding places. When you look in the tank, the only fish you see are the gobies. Normally I wouldn't put anything else in there, but I hate to see the loaches languish.

They just got em near me in south florida as well. Man I wish I had room!!!!!! All 4" long as well. sad....i don't want them with my rostratas and not sure I wanna put em with clowns.

After quarantine I dropped them in my big tank, and one thing I didn't take into consideration was my bichir instantly considering them a snack. Augh! As soon as they hit the water, the bichir started to stalk them. I even fed the tank, before I added them. The tigers were oblivious. So I caught the bichir, stuck her in a bucket in my tub (in case she jumped, she'd land in the tub). Then I spent two hours catching the tigers and threw them in my mixed loach/catfish tank. Crosssed my fingers. They are in with Clowns, yoyos, zebras, HIstries, Kubs, Bristlenoses, Hoplo cat, . . . and the dithers -- rainbows and danios-- so far so good. No stressed fish, no ripped fins. I will watch them like a hawk. I warned them that if they didn't behave, they would go back to the store. We'll see. I have kept skunks in a mixed community for 4 years with no issues. I am expecting the same with the tigers.

starsplitter7 wrote: As soon as they hit the water, the bichir started to stalk them.

How large is the bichir ?

She is about 8". The gobies are smaller than the tigers, but rounder. The Bichir never even looked at them twice. As soon as the tigers hit the water, the bichir was in stalking mode. This is a fish that hasn't had live food since she was 3" wisp of a fish. I thought her predatory instincts were curbed. Nope! I always worried someone would loook at the ropefish and decide to bite him in half to make him snack sized, but so far, but there are no problems 3+ years.