View Full Version : mixing loaches
Taz2478
03-11-2006, 1:23 PM
have/has anyone mixed different loaches? A LFS has 3-4 different ones and he doesnt know aout mixing them. Never really saw an aggressive loach. They'll be in 30 long which I plan on planting with java fern and bananna plants. It also has a female Albino peacock in it.
the loaches are Queen, Clown, Banded and Emperor. Also might get a S. eupterus.
Bandeds are sometimes very aggressive as are green tigers.
HarpoGarza
03-12-2006, 1:17 AM
I currently have 8 yoyos, 5 clowns and 2 red tailed botia. They get along great.
Jason_S
03-12-2006, 1:20 AM
I think I've read that queen loaches can be aggressive too but I wouldn't swear to it. some of them are only aggressive if kept alone though whereas when kept in small groups the aggression is reduced or there is none at all. :)
Honda12
03-12-2006, 12:04 PM
Most loaches can be mixed. But there are some exceptions out there like the tiger loaches and some that I found to be quit agressive which are the skunk loaches and the botia modestus. Most loaches though can be kept together. I have had nine differen't species together before with no problems.
Taz2478
03-12-2006, 5:30 PM
ok all he had was border botia so I got all 4 and a lizard loach. Asked him to get 2-3 more Lizards in for me next week.
they happily playin around the rocks and of course disappearing, i guess under them.
I mixed clowns and yo-yos, no problem.
jazzsprstr
03-29-2006, 3:14 PM
My favorite type of fish are the loaches. I absolutely love their personalities! I have succesfully kept YoYo's with Gold Zebra's with Khuli's all happily in a 55 gallon tank. Most loaches get along fine with other species from my experiences and what I've read.
HarpoGarza: I think it's cool that you like loaches and bottom feeders, but your 29 gallon tank is way overstocked, I hope you plan on either putting much of the fish into bigger tanks or at least not planning on just keeping them all there. Think about this, a standard 29 gallon tank is roughly 30" long, 18" tall, and 12" wide. You have 5 Clown Loaches who (if not getting stunted) will grow to be about 12" long so 5 of them may be a good school to have them in, but think about just the space they will occupy at the bottom of the tank. Then 9 YoYo's? YoYo's get to be from 4-5" long so 9 x we'll go 4 is 36" of YoYo Loaches who will fill in the cracks between the Clown Loaches. Now you've got cories and Colombian Sharks? Just take that into consideration. I'm not trying to start a fight, but being a good fish keeper you shouldn't plan on leaving them all in there.
It does sound like too many fish. Remember, just because they fit now doesn't mean they will later. Keep up with water changes and consider getting a bigger tank in the future. Good luck with your loaches!