Poly/loaches - room?

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S

Steve_2

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 2, 2008
134
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hi,

I would really like to add some colour to my tank by adding a small group of clown loaches. My tank is a standard 180 gallons.

I have two problems...maybe...

First, I already have an ornate, a lap, an endli, 4 senegals(I will probably just keep one or two) and one delhezi. Thse fish are 5-9" for now, but as you know, at least three of these will get pretty big. And I am only listing my bottom dwelers.

I would like to know if I have enough bottom space in my tank to accomodate a group of 3-5 clown loaches.

Second question: The loaches I could get right now are only about 4.5". I'm sure they would be safe for now, but what about in a year from now? Polys grow fast, and loaches...not so much. By the time my ornate, lap and endli are 18" long, the loaches will likely not be over 6.5".

Would they get eaten? Good or bad idea?

Thank you.


Steve
 
Hi Steve,

as always when combining bichirs with other fish: Maybe ...

I see a problem in the sizes of the bichirs and their imaginary prey - the clown loaches. It the Clown loaches would be bigger the chance not to be eaten would be greater ...
But bichir isn't bichir ... you have written that your bichirs are 5-9 inches long. The "9" ones - what species are they? I hope not the ornate ...

Greetings

Uwe
 
You'll certainly want clowns at 8-10 inches. Very risky combo. Average growth rate after 6 inches would almost certainly be half an inch a year or give it a decade before they reach 10 inches (depending on the conditions).
 
Yes, the 9" is the ornate. The same fish that seem to like to taste everything and everyone in the tank. lol

I wish I could find 10" clowns, but I've never even seen any in my life. Plus I can't imagine how much they would cost.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to find another fish to add colour.

Thanks you all for your replies.


Steve
 
uwe;2153502; said:
Hi Steve,

is it allowed to keep snakeheads in Canada?

Greetings

Uwe
Click to expand...
Depends on the location. Ontario is the only province where snakeheads are illegal.
 
I've kep polypterus with larger loaches with no problems when they are small, but I wouldn't risk it when those polys get larger.
 
I had no idea about snakeheads, but it looks like Lupin knew the answer. I am in Ontario so I won't ever think about it I guess. At least not anymore. lol

15 CL in one night! What a loss! I'm not willing to try it anymore!
 
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