Loach recommendation for 55 gallon Geophagus tank...

[Randy]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Randy and I am new to the forum. I have recently re-entered the hobby after an 8 year hiatus from tropical fish keeping. Loaches have always been a favorite, and I want to add 4-5 to my new setup. I have a 55 gallon corner tank with 1 Geophagus sp "Altamira" and 1 small Loricard (not sure which L number). I also plan to add 2 Satanoperca Leucostica's. The substrate is pool filter sand. Do you have a loach recommendation for a mild-mannered geophagus tank setup? Thanks!

Randy

[RD.]

Hi Randy,

Just a FYI, both of those geo species can easily reach 8-10 inches in captivty, and truly aren't suited to a 55 gallon corner tank. Also, once they become sexually mature, in such cramped conditions, you may find that they are not as peaceful as you think. While some geos may fly solo, or in pairs in the wild (such as the S. leucostica) in captivity they tend to do better when kept in shoals of 5+ fish, and a 6-8 ft tank.

HTH