Tankmates will be 7 Rasbora dorsiocellata, and maybe a red-tail black shark if I can safely keep it with smaller loaches (dunno about this- I'll probably move it unless I'm sure it won't be a problem).
Cheers
Striata question
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Whitey_MacLeod
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- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 12:27 am
- Location: Sheffield, England
Striata question
Is a 130l, 12"x32" footprint tank big enough for a group of Botia striata? Are there any other loaches I could consider?
Tankmates will be 7 Rasbora dorsiocellata, and maybe a red-tail black shark if I can safely keep it with smaller loaches (dunno about this- I'll probably move it unless I'm sure it won't be a problem).
Cheers
Tankmates will be 7 Rasbora dorsiocellata, and maybe a red-tail black shark if I can safely keep it with smaller loaches (dunno about this- I'll probably move it unless I'm sure it won't be a problem).
Cheers
Fast and bulbous!
Hello Whitey_MacLeod,
yes the tank is ok for a smaller group (5-10) of striatas, but perhaps not ideal (bigger is always better).
You can consider all other loaches that stay rather small like Yoyos, kubotais and the like .. though it's perhaps better to have 10 striata than 5 striata and 5 kubotai. What you really do need is a lot of current though!
Regarding the red-tail shark .. usually they get along well with loaches, but all of those sharks are a bit problematic when they grow older. My rainbow shark got along very well with all my loaches, in fact he even enjoyed their company, but then he started to fight with a catfish over a nice cave and he transferred his aggression to all other fish in the tank, including the loaches to a point I had to take him out.
It may work, but be aware it might not. Also 130l is probably a bit on the small side for a shark.
-Connor
yes the tank is ok for a smaller group (5-10) of striatas, but perhaps not ideal (bigger is always better).
You can consider all other loaches that stay rather small like Yoyos, kubotais and the like .. though it's perhaps better to have 10 striata than 5 striata and 5 kubotai. What you really do need is a lot of current though!
Regarding the red-tail shark .. usually they get along well with loaches, but all of those sharks are a bit problematic when they grow older. My rainbow shark got along very well with all my loaches, in fact he even enjoyed their company, but then he started to fight with a catfish over a nice cave and he transferred his aggression to all other fish in the tank, including the loaches to a point I had to take him out.
It may work, but be aware it might not. Also 130l is probably a bit on the small side for a shark.
-Connor
'I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law.'
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Whitey_MacLeod
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 12:27 am
- Location: Sheffield, England
Thanks for the advice 
Kubotai is one fish I hadn't considered, but would be a very nice choice. The species profile for kubotai says they are best kept in groups of three or more- is a group of three really big enough to thrive, or an absolute bare minimum? Five striata and three kubotai would be a nice mix. Five of each would be pushing it a bit I think- I don't want to stock this tank too heavily.
One of the major reasons I'm concerned about the shark is that it's already fairly big at 3"-4", and so could do a lot of damage if it wanted to. He's never been any trouble yet, but I've only kept him with fish that can take care of themselves. I think the smart thing to do here is not risk it.
Kubotai is one fish I hadn't considered, but would be a very nice choice. The species profile for kubotai says they are best kept in groups of three or more- is a group of three really big enough to thrive, or an absolute bare minimum? Five striata and three kubotai would be a nice mix. Five of each would be pushing it a bit I think- I don't want to stock this tank too heavily.
One of the major reasons I'm concerned about the shark is that it's already fairly big at 3"-4", and so could do a lot of damage if it wanted to. He's never been any trouble yet, but I've only kept him with fish that can take care of themselves. I think the smart thing to do here is not risk it.
Fast and bulbous!
My feeling is that Kubs really don't require a very large group, so three may be OK. I'd go for a slightly larger number, if at all possible.
I currently have eleven in three tanks (2+3+6), while the tank intended for them is not exactly ready... It would be interesting to see what happens when they meet each other.
A couple of warnings:
1. Some Kubs are very aggressive. My largest (about 3"),
is intensely territorial and attacks other Kubs and even larger Yoyo's. Since he is the prettiest Kub around, he gets away with it. None of the other Kubs I have/had ever exhibited any aggression.
2. There was a case reported on LOL when Kubs killed Striatas. I think it was a fluke and intend to add Striatas to the Kub tank myself...that is if I can find healthy Striatas.
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IMO, the other good choice would be Zippers.
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Cannot comment on Sharks. Many years ago I tried to keep them with Goldfish... Before long, Goldfish ended up without eyes, and that was the end of shark experimentation for me.
I currently have eleven in three tanks (2+3+6), while the tank intended for them is not exactly ready... It would be interesting to see what happens when they meet each other.
A couple of warnings:
1. Some Kubs are very aggressive. My largest (about 3"),
is intensely territorial and attacks other Kubs and even larger Yoyo's. Since he is the prettiest Kub around, he gets away with it. None of the other Kubs I have/had ever exhibited any aggression.
2. There was a case reported on LOL when Kubs killed Striatas. I think it was a fluke and intend to add Striatas to the Kub tank myself...that is if I can find healthy Striatas.
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IMO, the other good choice would be Zippers.
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Cannot comment on Sharks. Many years ago I tried to keep them with Goldfish... Before long, Goldfish ended up without eyes, and that was the end of shark experimentation for me.
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Whitey_MacLeod
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 12:27 am
- Location: Sheffield, England
Hmmm 
Although the chances of a problem fish might be small, the tank's not really big enough to allow for the establishment of strongly defended territories, and I'm not sure I like kubotai enough to risk it.
Zippers are an excellent suggestion- I've never seen any round here but I really like the look of them from the photos I've seen.
I'm going to give the shark to a friend when he gets his new tank, so that's one decision out of the way at least
Thanks again.
Although the chances of a problem fish might be small, the tank's not really big enough to allow for the establishment of strongly defended territories, and I'm not sure I like kubotai enough to risk it.
Zippers are an excellent suggestion- I've never seen any round here but I really like the look of them from the photos I've seen.
I'm going to give the shark to a friend when he gets his new tank, so that's one decision out of the way at least
Thanks again.
Fast and bulbous!
i love kubotai. ive currently got three in one of my tanks and they get along fine. two had a dominance battle one night (ive got video) but aside from that ive never seen or read about kubs being agressive til now, though mikev has been around far longer than i-i trust his advice.
ill be increasing the group to at least five (more if i can find them) within the next two months with a tank upgrade.
from my personal experience, id recommend kubotai or striata for your application whitey
ill be increasing the group to at least five (more if i can find them) within the next two months with a tank upgrade.
from my personal experience, id recommend kubotai or striata for your application whitey
-Jamie
--Various images
--Various images
Just to make clear: I like Kubs and this is why I have so many of them. Don't worry too much about a problem fish, the chances you'll have one like mine are small, and in the very worst case you can always return or exchange one fish. Other Kubs I have are absolutely non-territorial, the newest six, for example, all sleep together.
I finally moved the 6-group from a 10g qtank to currently loach-free 65g and saw for the first time a Kub group really shoaling: all six were moving in a tight formation for about an hour, checking the larger quarters. It is breaking apart now, but the show was really impressive.
Maybe the sure way to avoid nasty individuals like my BBB is to get them at about the same size and not too large. I still have to move him into the 65g...but I'll let the six establish themselves first before the devil comes.
Maybe the sure way to avoid nasty individuals like my BBB is to get them at about the same size and not too large. I still have to move him into the 65g...but I'll let the six establish themselves first before the devil comes.
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Whitey_MacLeod
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 12:27 am
- Location: Sheffield, England
I went to check out a fish shop on the other side of town today, and they've got some kubotai in stock. I didn't buy any because I wasn't 100% sure what they were, and the owner didn't know the scientific name, but we had good chat and I'll be going back tomorrow to pick some up
Perhaps I could have made my last post more clear- when I said I wasn't sure I liked them enough to risk it I meant I hadn't made my mind up, not that I was put off the idea. Now that I've seen some in the flesh, I've decided I like them a lot, which far outweighs the slight chance of a problem.
I've got a 15g QT set up ready for them:
Some bunched wisteria and vallisneria, a big curly piece of mopani wood and a plastic cave, on a thin layer of sand. Anything I should change before I put them in? I've got two internal filters and a bubble wall in there, with one of the filter outputs raised up to create a lot of splash, so there should be plenty of flow and oxygen for them.
Perhaps I could have made my last post more clear- when I said I wasn't sure I liked them enough to risk it I meant I hadn't made my mind up, not that I was put off the idea. Now that I've seen some in the flesh, I've decided I like them a lot, which far outweighs the slight chance of a problem.
I've got a 15g QT set up ready for them:
Some bunched wisteria and vallisneria, a big curly piece of mopani wood and a plastic cave, on a thin layer of sand. Anything I should change before I put them in? I've got two internal filters and a bubble wall in there, with one of the filter outputs raised up to create a lot of splash, so there should be plenty of flow and oxygen for them.
Fast and bulbous!
Looks fantastic, much better than qtank needs.
One thing: check the driftwood for narrow caves and if any are present, block them. Once the loaches settle in them, it is going to be hard to get them out... I could not extract my BBB from such a cave for months, ended up having to lift the driftwood out of the water.
One thing: check the driftwood for narrow caves and if any are present, block them. Once the loaches settle in them, it is going to be hard to get them out... I could not extract my BBB from such a cave for months, ended up having to lift the driftwood out of the water.
I have kept many "sharks" with loaches for many years.
They do get full grown rather quick
Red-Tails must be the only one in the tank of that type and are the most aggressive
Rainbows are the next one down on the aggressive list and may be kept in 4 or more with enough room and cover but do fight alot and will kill off the smallest eventually
Albino Rainbows are the least aggresive and I have 5 in my 150US gal with small loaches.I posted this tank under a thread titled Baby Loaches
The sharks grow much faster than loaches and this is a problem,the biggest
I prefer them as they are a mid-water fish so there is tank space un-used in that area here with my VERY tall tanks.
I would find something more suitable for your set-up personally but one red-tail is hard to resist,mine in my larger tank is about 6"long and chases my shoal of Albino Rosy Barbs constantly but does not damage fins.They rarely bother loaches as loaches are faster ,more nimble(able to out turn) and don't run from the shark which causes the chase to occur in the first place....
They do get full grown rather quick
Red-Tails must be the only one in the tank of that type and are the most aggressive
Rainbows are the next one down on the aggressive list and may be kept in 4 or more with enough room and cover but do fight alot and will kill off the smallest eventually
Albino Rainbows are the least aggresive and I have 5 in my 150US gal with small loaches.I posted this tank under a thread titled Baby Loaches
The sharks grow much faster than loaches and this is a problem,the biggest
I prefer them as they are a mid-water fish so there is tank space un-used in that area here with my VERY tall tanks.
I would find something more suitable for your set-up personally but one red-tail is hard to resist,mine in my larger tank is about 6"long and chases my shoal of Albino Rosy Barbs constantly but does not damage fins.They rarely bother loaches as loaches are faster ,more nimble(able to out turn) and don't run from the shark which causes the chase to occur in the first place....
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Whitey_MacLeod
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 12:27 am
- Location: Sheffield, England
Cheersmikev wrote:Looks fantastic, much better than qtank needs.
One thing: check the driftwood for narrow caves and if any are present, block them.
I know some people like to keep the QT fairly sparse for hygene reasons and to make it easier to observe the fish, but since I'll be quarantining them for at least a month I figure it's best to give them surroundings they'll be comfortable in.I've been at the wood with a file to take some sharp edges off, and there's no holes big enough to worry about.
Yeah, mine's a cute little beggar. I'll be sorry to see him go, but he'll be getting a good home, and since I never planned on getting a shark in the first place (he was one of a group of fish that got kind of dumped on me with a second-hand tank) I don't feel too guilty about giving him up.Tinman wrote:I would find something more suitable for your set-up personally but one red-tail is hard to resist
Fast and bulbous!
There is another reason for keeping QT sparse or at least plant-free: a possibility of disease and need to medicate.Whitey_MacLeod wrote:Cheersmikev wrote:Looks fantastic, much better than qtank needs.
One thing: check the driftwood for narrow caves and if any are present, block them.
I've been at the wood with a file to take some sharp edges off, and there's no holes big enough to worry about.
Last week I've successfully destroyed all the plants in one of the QT's with meds...I would have been much better off with plastic plants if any, but made the mistake of putting some spare plants in the QT. Similarly, if the fish comes with one of the nastier diseases which would require bleaching the tank after all the fish dies, I can bleach plastic plants, but real ones will have to be thrown out.
BTW, I've combined two of my Kub tribes yesterday. Very surprisingly the aggressive one is behaving very well, he seem to enjoy being the center of a large company a lot:
No attempts to bite anyone, no attempts to hide, he simply shoals with the crowd and learned begging and dancing from them already, which never happened before... Hopefully he is not ill...
No attempts to bite anyone, no attempts to hide, he simply shoals with the crowd and learned begging and dancing from them already, which never happened before... Hopefully he is not ill...
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