What kind of loach for this tank?

[Cookinit]

Tank size is a 125 Gallon, not setup yet but was thinking of the following stock list:

2 x GT
1 x JD
1 x Severum
1 x Lemon Oscar
5 x Giant Danio

Was thinking of adding a small school of loaches but unsure which would stand the best chance of not becoming food for the Oscar.

 

[Polyptasaurus]

i'd say clowns or maybe a couple BIG dario botias or angelica botias (GREAT color, really stands out)

 

[ewurm]

You're going to need loaches in the 3-4" range

 

[TwistedPenguin]

*5* big cichlids in a 125 g tank? You're going to need a bigger tank

 

[Cookinit]

*5* big cichlids in a 125 g tank? You're going to need a bigger tank

I have spare 55s and 75s if things don't work out. The GTs are a proven pair and are living in a 75g at the moment, they will be the first into the tank along with the Giant Danios and _________ Loaches.

The last two on the list I'd be stocking are the Severum and the Oscar, so one or both may not even make it into the tank. I just wanted a bottom feeder that could with-stand the entire planned stock list.

Are there any types of Tiger Loaches (as in my limited reading I know "Tiger Loach" can refer to a few species) that would work and are decently easy to find?

 

[JakeH]

If your GT's are a breeding pair, I'm not sure they will tolerate any Loaches. I've never tried, but I think a glass-banging pair of big GT's will not appreciate curious & fearless loaches snooping around their territory. If they have fry I would imagine the Loach would not survive the encounter... If no breeding is going on & the GT's are laid back, try some Botia Kobutai (Angelicus), Clowns, and YoYo's. I think Tigers are pretty aggressive...

For me a 125g would be:
1xGT
1xJD
1xOscar
10xBotia Kobutai
5xClown Loach
5xYoYo Loach

 

[Cookinit]

GTs are 2 inches right now and I have free swimming fry, needless to say I wasn't expecting that!

 

[JakeH]

If you're willing to split the pair up I say go for the Loaches. You wont be disappointed!

 

[Muske]

Red Finned or Modesta, they can hang w/just about anybody.

 

[Lupin]

Are there any types of Tiger Loaches (as in my limited reading I know "Tiger Loach" can refer to a few species) that would work and are decently easy to find?

The most common tiger loach available is Syncrossus helodes followed by Syncrossus hymenophysa. All of the loaches of the Syncrossus genus are slow growers although the smallest being the Syncrossus berdmorei grows to 8 inches. These are among the nastiest species you can ever find so be prepared with a backup plan unless you like your cichlids with sawed off fins.