So I am currently in the middle of changing my stocking in my tanks. I just took my 16” pacu to a big ol pond to live with some other adult pacu since I won’t be able to keep it forever myself. (Teardrop)
Leading up to this point I have had mosey with the pacu, an Oscar, Achara catfish, and 9 blue botias. Originally I had clown loaches but they started to get picked off by the Oscar so I switched to the blues because they grow much faster. It has worked out great up until recently. I am noticing bite marks on the botias that look just like the size of Mosey’s mouth. Lol
I think they could typically get along but the botias are always hanging around moseys water column and seem to not be very intimidated by the poly. As we all know as he grows bigger he will eventually be able to fit them in his mouth. They are still quite a bit too big for his mouth, but as I am noticing these taste tests, I am starting to get concerned for mosey as I dont want him or her to get spiked by the subocular spines.
The options
-1 pull mosey out and keep the loaches. This is tempting because it will be nearly impossible for me to catch all the loaches when they hide in the driftwood for days at a time. Also it would be easier to catch 1 rather than 9.
-2 pull the loaches and keep mosey. I am quite fond of this fish and the loaches were meant for a job rather than a pet. Since I am posting here I think you all see what option I am going for. Lol.
A question I have is: are there any other fish that could be a suitable clean up crew for my tank that won’t be considered food by the ornate? What do you guys have? Any suggestions, I’m open. I am already getting rid of my achara cat soon as I understand it is about to outgrow my tank, so now I feel like my lower column is lacking. An idea I had was to try and trade all the loaches for another poly at my lfs- not sure if that will work but I will give it a try.
so this is my ornate named “Mosey”. I named it after the mosasaurus in Jurassic world. Since it is an ancient fish and also it likes to mosey along the bottom looking for new adventures. 
