Pakistani Loaches and Senegal Bichir

[Monkey_Djinn]

Hello all.

First time poster, but been reading a while as you guys seem to have the best knowledge and advice.

I have 6 Pakistani loaches. They were in my community tropical tank of 90l at first as they were quite small. They've come on nicely, looking chunky. They are now about 3 inches and getting stocky.

I know they need space, so I've moved them to my 250l tank which currently is home to a Senegal bichir at about 10 inch and an 8 inch Raphael cat. There are caves, a big piece of bogwood with loads of crevices, and some planting.

They've been in for 4 days, and I've watched closely. The loaches and the bichir paid no m9nd to each other. Today I was only able to count 4. So I assumed 2 had been eaten. I know the SB can open wide, but I keep him well fed with prawns, bloodworm, pellets.

The loaches are fast, and they have those eye spines. As I write this I've just counted 5 loaches, which was The tank has hiding spaces so I guess the other could be hiding.

But it has got me worrying now, are they safe with the bichir?

Thank you

 

[kno4te]

I would be ok keeping the two together with a caveat. It’s the sizing and staying in the same zone. If the loaches are more than the size of the mouth then it’ll be fine

 

[Monkey_Djinn]

I would be ok keeping the two together with a caveat. It’s the sizing and staying in the same zone. If the loaches are more than the size of the mouth then it’ll be fine

Hello, and thank you for the reply. I've this morning counted all six, so that's good. It did get me wondering though, so thanks for the reassurance. Having watched them loads they seem to be uninteresting to the bichir, and he's always well fed.

Thank you!