Loaches Online Forum

Hi there,
I got two Tiger Botias yesterday. The lady at the LFS said they would not hurt my baby Bristle noses, which are about 1 inch, I've had these babies for several weeks. Well today I can only find 6 I had 8. Then I found one of the smaller ones dead. It didn't look chewed up so I don't know really for sure if it was the Tigers. So I took the tigers out and isolated them because I don't know where it is safe to put them. I have a 60 gal, in it is 4 angels, 2 high fin rosy barbs and nothing else. The other tank is a 10 gal with a pleco, 2 corys and 1 gold fish. I do have a 5 gal up but it is not ready for fish of anykind yet. What should I do? Will they hurt my angels? what about the pleco?
Jackie

Are you sure they're tiger botia? Do you have a pic?

No I don't, but looked on the site loaches on line and thats them. I really want to be able to keep them, as they are so fascinating to watch. Any ideas? Can they go in with the Angels and Barbs? Don't want to lose anymore of my friends.
Thank You
Jackie

Jackie sorry to hear about your loss. it sounds like the place you bought your fish gave you bad information. tiger botias can be very agressive. it sounds like you did the best thing for your other fish by taking them out.

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=2705

this is a profile of one of the tiger botia species, on the species description forum. it tells you about the agression of the fish and suitable tank mates.

i hope you get something worked out

I have/had some S. helodes and I wouldn't put them in with any options you have given. They are terrors and they grow pretty darn fast. Mine reached approximately 6"TL in 1-1 1/2 years.

I want to thank all of you who helped me. These guys are quite the excape artest! They even escaped from a small covered breeder tank. Good thing I had them hanging inside another tank. But they are very adorable we would like to keep them, so it's getting out another 30 gal tank. But can you tell me exactly what fish can be kept with them? Also besides caves,what will they need? Will my regular substrate work for them? I checked the sight I was given, Thank you. But can anyone else add to it?
Jackie

i'm glad you decided to keep them, and are getting them a tank. i hope you have great fun watching them. i would suggest putting sand down as the substrate. but im sorry i cant suggest any tank mates other than those on the link, but someone else who keeps them may be able to help.

Possibly skunk loaches...
maybe Graeme can give some info on his 'grr' tank? I'd also like to see an explanation of a grr tank set up included somewhere in the update process...

Shari, you'll remember the text of a certain book has a concept design for such a tank + artwork to illustrate? SLOW PROGRESS

Jackie, the problem here is that if these fish truly are a Syncrossus species then exactly as Emma's S. hymenophysa profile states they're going to need much bigger quarters than the 30. Certainly in the future. With big species you've always got to be thinking of the long-term requirements before purchasing the fish.

Emma's excellent profile gives you exactly the info you need as regards other tank inhabitants and required substrate, etc..

Martin.

Yessss, I do remember but since it's not around...and nobody can see it yet...and not everyone who comes here will get the book...

Just a thought...