mixing loaches

[Taz2478]

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.

 

[guppy]

Bandeds are sometimes very aggressive as are green tigers.

 

[HarpoGarza]

I currently have 8 yoyos, 5 clowns and 2 red tailed botia. They get along great.

 

[Jason_S]

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]

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]

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.

 

[ewurm]

I mixed clowns and yo-yos, no problem.

 

[jazzsprstr]

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.

 

[ewurm]

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!