loaches with cichlids, a few quick questions.

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philipraposo1982

philipraposo1982

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Feb 21, 2016
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Hi MFK,

Do cichlids normally mess with loaches? any chance they can coexist with issues or is it just a disaster waiting to happen?

Im thinking about adding 6 loaches to my tank with my male GT. He is just a bit more than 7" and the loaches are around 5" right now. He has been living alone for a while now and is definitely territorial of his tank and surrounding space.

What are your experiences with loaches and cichlids. Thanks!
 
philipraposo1982 said:
Hi MFK,

Do cichlids normally mess with loaches? any chance they can coexist with issues or is it just a disaster waiting to happen?

Im thinking about adding 6 loaches to my tank with my male GT. He is just a bit more than 7" and the loaches are around 5" right now. He has been living alone for a while now and is definitely territorial of his tank and surrounding space.

What are your experiences with loaches and cichlids. Thanks!
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It may work but personally would rearrange the objects in the aquarium first. Loaches can defend themselves if necessary.
 
I have a Male African Peacock Cichlid cohabiting with 4 Clown Loaches.
 
He has been living alone for a while now and is definitely territorial of his tank and surrounding space.
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I think that you just answered your own question. Territorial male CA/SA cichlids can coexist with some loaches (species info would help) but although some loaches can defend themselves, overall it generally results in loaches that stay hidden/under cover most of the time. No one likes a bully! The larger the tank, the more hides etc, the easier on the loaches. In a tank with a smaller footprint such as yours 48x18 there's not going to be a lot of room for larger loaches to hide.
 
RD. said:
I think that you just answered your own question. Territorial male CA/SA cichlids can coexist with some loaches (species info would help) but although some loaches can defend themselves, overall it generally results in loaches that stay hidden/under cover most of the time. No one likes a bully! The larger the tank, the more hides etc, the easier on the loaches. In a tank with a smaller footprint such as yours 48x18 there's not going to be a lot of room for larger loaches to hide.
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You are correct that's why I said may and I don't like fish bullying on others.
 
agree, i don't want him to bully them for sure. he lived with 10 syno petricola for a while and never bothered them once. its the reason i am considering it. I have the option to bring back the fish if it doesn't work out too. I may just try it and have a divider on hand if things get bad fast. I am home all weekend to observe.
 
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So no QT tank, just drop them in and hope for the best? Kinda shocking after everything that your GT has been through.

BTW - a GT may not find a 1-2" catfish a potential threat, territorial wise, or food wise, but 5" loaches, that are almost the same size as he is, and are very fast at feeding time, could very well be seen as a threat at feeding time. Totally different scenario compared to your little synos that were in that tank. S. lucipinnis/petricola typically wait until the food hits the substrate, most loaches quickly learn to hit the food the moment they see or smell it hitting the water.

Are these clown loaches, or?
 
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