Loaches Online Forum

Reading the forum i've noticed the various species of danio are always mentioned as a good choice of dither in tanks with small clown loach. This is definately a choice i'm considering however i wonder if anyone could suggest particular species on the smaller side that would do well in the warmer temperatures preffered by the clowns. Many thanks...

well, i have red-finned danios, similar to giant danios, and they are decent bottom feeders. If you have shy loaches, it can be difficult to keep them fed as the danios finish the food before the loaches get to it.

my loaches seem to have a taste for long fin zebras. i have read many people suggest using giant danios. the larger of the danios was still around but the rest of them disappeared. i also hear most people don't have problems with their zebras living side by side with loaches. i find my loaches get along with anything above 1". any smaller and i can't find the fish the next day.

I do like the giant danios but they're something i'd consider when the clowns get larger (biggest is <3") and are moved to a larger tank. The zebras are a little to 'everyday' for my likeing and i definately wouldn't like to go any larger than that. Are the redfins a zebra colour morph?
Any ideas about the temperature issues raised in the first post or are danios very flexible on that front? I know my friend keeps them in a tropical tank but everywhere i read about them recomends lower temperatures, Anymore advice? Many thanks....
Regarding worldrallynuts' comment on red finned feeding off bottom i would preffer a danio species with more traditonal surface/midwater habit

I was just checking in to see what answers you received as I was wondering the same thing about the temp.
I like the zebra danios (I realize you don't ), but I was wondering if they can thrive in the higher temps that clowns need.

I'll check back again

I have a shoal of 12 black neons with my clowns. They stay midwater and are fun to watch. Sometimes the clowns look like they are trying to shoal with them. They seem a good match in regards to temperature, current and water conditions.

yes loachmom, it appears the temperature wonderings will remain a mystery!
Visited my lfs and saw a tank full of blue tetras, Boehlkea fredcochui, which i couldn't resist so 16 are now in the big tank absolutely loving the current, which i had wondered about. They form a sort of blue tetra conveyor belt fighting against the current then getting blasted back down the tank, plenty of slack areas shold they need a rest although they don't seem to get tired of it! Thanks for your interest in the danio question it would still be good to know the highst temprange they can stand. Many thanks...[/i]

Hi fish,

I went to http://www.aquariumfish.net and in their 'danios for sale' section they state that danios' temp should be 70-82 degrees. Sounds like they could go with clowns if this info is accurate.