Loaches Online Forum

Can I put rostratas with angelfish? The same angels I had trouble with being nipped somewhat by my histrionicas? Or are rostrata even more demented?

(Rostrata , $4/ea, Menagerie, approx 2 doz in stock, approx 1.5")

Hmm....

I recall that your histrionica's were actually kubotai's, and rostrata's are another species that are easy to confuse with kubotai's...

I don't own rostrata but strongly suspect that you cannot have guarantees with *any* Botia (==that is a member of the former Botia genus). Even clowns who are supposed to be the peaceful ones can do nasty things; mine killed a barb and bit a schistura (I know now who did it and why). I really would not call this "demented" either, this is just how they are.



A plenty of good options: (1) Get kuhlis (2) Get rid of angelfish (3) Get a second tank....

GET RID OF ANGELFISH???? How can you suggest such a thing?!?
I have had angels and clowns, angels and yo yos, angels and many things. The only problem I faced with harassment was from a red finned shark who was promptly kept busy (and off the angels) by a small batch of yo yos.

Modestas--no! Tigers? NO! But clowns, yo yos, other botia? I haven't run into any problems that were serious with any of those with angels. Though they are all voracious egg eaters.

shari2 wrote:GET RID OF ANGELFISH???? How can you suggest such a thing?!?
I have had angels and clowns, angels and yo yos, angels and many things. The only problem I faced with harassment was from a red finned shark who was promptly kept busy (and off the angels) by a small batch of yo yos.

Modestas--no! Tigers? NO! But clowns, yo yos, other botia? I haven't run into any problems that were serious with any of those with angels. Though they are all voracious egg eaters.

What size tank did you have the angels and botias in?

My (Kubotai I guess) used to suck all over my angels when the angels ate and food came out of their gills...

They are were in a 55g. Still are, but the yo yos are gone. The clowns have been in with angels smaller than dime size and I never noticed any chasing or agressive behaviors, but the parents were in there with them. Currently there is just the one mean male in with the clowns. NOBODY bothers him.

I have a couple of rostrata. Mine are similar in personality to my yoyos, if not a bit more mellow. They live with barbs and gouramis, and all loaches ignore the other species and play with each other. Tank size 55 gallons--I think anything smaller might be a little cramped for them. They like their space and I could see them possibly getting bored in a smaller tank or one without driftwood, plants, etc. I would venture to guess they wouldn't bother your angels if your setup was nice with plenty of other things to interest them.

I hate being on the fence like this....

So hard to decide...