Loaches Online Forum

Hi,

I currently have three 3" clown loaches in my 90g tank (48"x18"x24") and am looking for some more bottom dwelling tank mates for them. I am planning on getting a 72" tank at some point in the future (hoping to get 180g in the summer) so I am not too worried about getting larger fish. I'll probably add at least 2 more clown loaches but am considering adding another loach species as well or maybe some cories. What would be the most compatable loaches? I was thinking maybe Yoyo loaches or maybe Botia Kubotai. Are these two compatable with clown loaches? Are there any others I should consider? Would dwarf chain loaches be too small with a group of clowns? Or should I just stick with one species and get a larger group of clowns?

Personally, I'd go for a larger group of clowns...

I have only 1 clown (it was a rescue) who lives with 4 yoyos and 2 queens. They all hang out as 1 group, never had any aggression issues between them.

Mine use to hang out with a burmese and some marble loaches without any issues. I think as long as they like the same water parameters, clowns will get along with most other loaches.

Here are a couple I know for sure NOT to keep your clowns with: Modesta, Eos. Tigers are boderline too agressive but may be ok with larger clowns.

Wow, I was going to suggest the Modesta! I have 3 of them at about 4-5" each in with my clowns (8-9", 6-7", and 2") and come feeding time they all group together. Otherwise, the Modestas tend to shove themselves under the log. They have NEVER once been aggressive, but this might be an exceptional case because two of these three guys were once in a 100g with a 12-14" oscar... O.O

Anyways I'd suggest Botia Striata, they are very docile little guys, and in a school, they are playful and very adorable. Botia Histrionica is also a nice match, I've found, as they get okay size (3-4", not sure the maximum) and they are fairly docile, it seems, as well. Yoyos are another very good match.

I wouldn't go for Botia Morleti, though I'm a hypocrite for saying it. If the clowns are big, then it should be fine, but if they are smaller, they might get harassed.

There's tons of other loach species, but I haven't had experience with many of them. Sinibotia Pulchra and Schistera Kochangensis are pretty cool if you can find them, though the Schisteras are kind of small.

Adult Yasuhikotakia modesta are not suitable for keeping with clowns, as Vancmann has already pointed out.

I'm with Shari on this. A larger group of clowns will be much more natural and also more rewarding for you, as you'll get to see a big group behaving more confidently. If you do wish to mix them with other Botiine loaches, then Botia striata, B. histrionica, B. kubotai and B. rostrata would be my suggestions.

As the keeper of a wonderful huge family of clown loaches, I cannot recommend a big single species group enough!

Emma