Add corys or CL to Clown loach clan?

[2songbirds]

Hi all

I know that corys and CL mingle together, but I'm looking to add more onto the bunch and am undecisive how. I currently have 5 CL (ranging from 1 to 3 inch), 2 piscus catfish ( about 2-3 inch), and a 4-5" flowerhorn. The tank is stocked with hiding spots, caves, and only live plants. It's also a 54g corner bow front tank

Any comments on adding on more CL or cory catfish?

 

[Camphilophus]

That tank is too small for your flowerhorn.

Your flowerhorn will kill cories if you put them in there, he could also kill your clown loaches. Loaches and cories don't "mingle" either, they come from different parts of the world. Clown loaches like packs of 5+, the more the better. Cories prefer packs of 5+ also but clown loaches and cories will not shoal together like a single species pack would.

 

[2songbirds]

That tank is too small for your flowerhorn.

Yes, I do know when the FH is fully grown I'll need to move her back into the 125g. I bought her the 54g as her own lil tank for now as she beat up my old oscar (which is another story). I have no more room to put another large tank in here. She's only aggressive if challenged, as I've had her for several months now, almost a year and has never bothered or killed any of the bottom feeders or anybody else for that matter. She's very calm actually.

As for the CL and corys, I read somewhere that they will swim together, but maybe it was misguided info. I'd really like to start a schoal of CL's, but they cost so dang much around here. When they get big enough, around 5-6 inches, I'll put them in the 125g.

Is there an "ideal" number for CL, other than more than 5?

 

[Camphilophus]

Yes, I do know when the FH is fully grown I'll need to move her back into the 125g. I bought her the 54g as her own lil tank for now as she beat up my old oscar (which is another story). I have no more room to put another large tank in here. She's only aggressive if challenged, as I've had her for several months now, almost a year and has never bothered or killed any of the bottom feeders or anybody else for that matter. She's very calm actually.

As for the CL and corys, I read somewhere that they will swim together, but maybe it was misguided info. I'd really like to start a schoal of CL's, but they cost so dang much around here. When they get big enough, around 5-6 inches, I'll put them in the 125g.

Is there an "ideal" number for CL, other than more than 5?

You'll be alright for a while with your flowerhorn, I was just making sure that you knew he's need a bigger tank and that he'd kill cories. You can keep both species (clowsn and cories) together and they will be happy but.. They'd be happier shoaling with a pack of their own. Clown loaches are expensive but they're well worth it. I got 20 wholesale for $2 each but they were like 1.25" and I lost about half of them. I've got like 12 now about a year later and they are all around 2.5". I've also got 5 between 3.5-4.5". When the smaller ones get a little bigger I'm going to have a huge pack. With clown loaches the more the better. They're a lot hardier than cories also. I can't push clown loaches anymore, they're just sweet. Maybe try some different botia species with the clown loaches. Just stay away from the meaner ones like modesta (red tail) and skunks. Check out www.loaches.com

 

[zuz]

cories r nice but with a flowerhorn will eat the cories

 

[2songbirds]

k, I guess I'll just buy CL every now and then to build up the shoal. Where I have been getting them, they are either $9 or $10 each. I went somewhere else last night and got them live brine shrimp and driftwood for the 125g, and the CL were about the same size as the ones I already have for $26 each!!

On a side note, I didn't get my FH as a lil baby, so I don't know what she was like with the previous owner. I just surprised at how well she tolerates the CL and piscus catfish based upon all the horror stories I've heard about them. But, she's a keeper and I wasn't giving her up after she beat up my old oscar, thus her new home....for now....

The CL, or as I call them "bumblebees" really do move!! They are just so darn cute...

 

[ewurm]

More loaches the better. Just be sure you can upgrade when necessary and keep the water clean.