Single New Loach Quarantine

[KatsCollar]

I have had a clown loach/barb tank for a couple years now. I would like to introduce one more clown loach to the school, however, I have read (and experienced) that 1:3 clowns have some sort of disease. So, as with all my fish, I would like to initially quarantine him. I have several barbs in the QT as of now serving their time. Would it be best to add a single clown to the barb QT so he isn't all alone? (And restart the barbs sentence ) Or would he be alright in there by himself for a few weeks if shelter was provided?
Thank you!
-Kat (first time posting a forum topic - ever!)

[NancyD]

How long have the barbs been in Q? Adding a loach is just cross contaminating both species, I'd wait unless there were unusual circumstances. Really you know you want to add 2 clowns...so they can keep each other company

[Diana]

You could go either way. Here are a few thoughts pro and con:

What species of Barb? How big are they compared to the new Loach?

As you say, you would have to restart the clock on the Barb's quarantine. If the barbs will get along with the Clown Loach in a small tank, then that is probably better than having one Clown Loach alone in the q-tank.

However, if the barbs are bigger they may be too greedy for the Clown Loach to compete against. In this case I would move the barbs out before adding the Clown Loach. Or, if the barbs are a pushy, nippy species then I would move them on. In a larger tank this pushiness might be no problem, but in a small tank they could harass a single Loach.

The problems the barbs could cause in a small tank might be more stress than the Loach wants to deal with if the Loach also is dealing with internal parasites or other issues. If this is the case, then being alone is better. Either way, a simple hiding place that is easy to clean is a very good idea.