anyone keeping Syncrossus berdmorei

[PhishMon84]

I find I agree with that too. Large groups of 1-2 schooling species look far more composed and aesthetically pleasing than a lot of small groups of different species, and act that way too.

The only exception to this is if the tank is very large compared to the fish in question (as in, a ratio equivalent to at least a 1.83m long 473 liter for a max 15 cm fish), where the large size of the tank allows for large schools of all species in question with enough room for them to school with only their species instead of as a disorganized-looking mix of all species.
And even then, it would never be a bad idea to go the route of big groups of 1-2 species but merely on an XL scale.

Admittedly- whenever I move on to a new group of fish I do the “audit” thing where I get one of each and then after a few years realize i wanted 1 or 2 groups not one of everything. I do exhibit some OCD tendencies and this could be part of that.

 

[Midwater]

Berdmorei and modesta are very often found together. So it is easy to keep them together. The larger the group the better.

Not quite as hardy as modesta, but still a great loach.

 

[PhishMon84]

I don’t have S. Berdmorei anymore but I had 1 for about 10 years. Right now I have 4 S. Beauforti (chameleon loach) after starting with 6.
Synocrossus sp. are by far the toughest and most aggressive loaches I’ve owned. Tankmates need to be hardy and robust but not overly predatory in order to coexist. And they definitely do best in larger groups to minimize aggression. I provide a lot of decor for them to hide. Feeding time is always fun as they will climb the water column in search of food and they eat almost anything offered. IME they grow pretty quickly for a loach. My Berdmorei was easily 6 inches after the first year in my tank after buying as a juvenile. And although they reach a smaller overall size, my Beauforti are 4-5 inches after 1 year as well.
I only have pics of my Beauforti. I tried looking back through old photos to find my Berdmorei but it must’ve been deleted.

I get it!
I don’t use Facebook, haven’t since college but all my photos were other ppls- I never did anything will my film photos - and don’t have any hard drives or my digital photos. Essentially I have zero photos from any aspect of my life except from num parents and only up to age 19.

that’s one thing I should put a concerted effort into, documenting my hobbies, life and travels so if there is ever a next generation they can have optics into who I was.

 

[PhishMon84]

Berdmorei and modesta are very often found together. So it is easy to keep them together. The larger the group the better.

Not quite as hardy as modesta, but still a great loach.

Cool- I have 10 Modesta and 12 berdmorei OTW

Somehow, against all odds I’m ending up with an Asian themed tank.

 

[Midwater]

Unfortunately, they taste good:

 

[PhishMon84]

Unfortunately, they taste good:

Having bought fish and conversed extensively w/Jeff Rapps many of my emails between he and I feature fish I keep, on plates.
I’m fine with that! If we can help those local economies with an industry tangential to day to day activities I’m all about it!

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Cool- I have 10 Modesta and 12 berdmorei OTW

Somehow, against all odds I’m ending up with an Asian themed tank.

If you want to keep the Asian theme while selecting dither fish, my guess is that tiger barbs would do well. A geographical match that is aggressive enough to stand up for itself and often works with loaches especially well (and for tiger loaches at least, green tiger barbs are likely better than regular as dithers because the color is closer).

Plus you'll have tigers with tigers

 

[PhishMon84]

If you want to keep the Asian theme while selecting dither fish, my guess is that tiger barbs would do well. A geographical match that is aggressive enough to stand up for itself and often works with loaches especially well (and for tiger loaches at least, green tiger barbs are likely better than regular as dithers because the color is closer).

Plus you'll have tigers with tigers

Hahah- well I have 30 growing out + 10 torpedo barbs. 4 pearl gouramis, 2 pink kissers and 3 leopard bush fish…. So I think I’m well on my way.
Just need some spiny eels

 

[Midwater]

If you really want an well localised tank, you would want tinfoil barbs. They are found in berdmorei territory. They also taste good, gutted, sun dried and with a little fish sauce.

Now, you can get even more authentic, floating on the top of your tank, you want a teak longtail boat with a massive turbocharged diesel engine mounted on rear gimbals.

 

[A201]

I keep two "altus" Tinfoil Barbs in with my Botias. They look good and do really well. No plans to eat them. Lol.