Hi guys, first time on this forum. I’m setting up a 200 gallon for my cousin who wants aggressive central/south American cichlids. That part I can deal with but they also want some kind of loach species. I’m not too familiar with them, do they all need to be in a school and which ones are hardy enough for this setup? They already have a green Texas cichlid. Thanks.
Loaches with American cichlids
- Thread starter Brazzen1
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I love loaches. They go well with American cichlids.
I would not recommend the smaller ones. Modesta and CL are larger and more robust.
Even so, these should be kept in as large a group as possible as they are highly social fish.
I would not recommend the smaller ones. Modesta and CL are larger and more robust.
Even so, these should be kept in as large a group as possible as they are highly social fish.
I don’t know about behavioral compatibility. However, regarding water characteristics, clown loaches need lower pH and softer water than (all?) Central American cichlids. Modesta loaches accept higher pH, but not as high ca cichlids. If behaviorally is Ok, South American cichlids would be a better choice. Don’t know if other loaches.
I'm not 100% certain if mixing loaches with aggressive cichlids is a good idea, but if you wanted to go the loach route, clown loaches are the best option for a 200. It gives them plenty of room to grow and be active. I would reccomend a minimum of 6 for a school, with potentially more depending on what you put in the tank. But mind you, they grow very slowly, so if you already have an adult cichlid, it may pick on/eat small ones, so try to get the largest ones you can find.
+1 ^ for the Modesta Loaches. You also might consider a group of Green Tiger Loaches. Avoid the Berdmorei Tigers. They don't do well with conspecifics.
Also Avoid the Helodes Tigers. They are extremely aggressive & will actually attack the Cichlids.
Also Avoid the Helodes Tigers. They are extremely aggressive & will actually attack the Cichlids.
My y. Eos do well with my cichlids - but they’re with a blood parrot and sev, so not the meanest. They get a good size and spend most of the day hiding, so I wouldn’t imagine cichlids having a problem with them.
For robust loaches with robust cichlids I would suggest, eos, green tiger, modesta or at a push yo-yo. Clown probably after any of those simply because I find them more timid than the rest whereas the list will tend to give as good as they get.
Yoyo's should be gold with them.
YoYo's top out at 6" - 7" inches. They aren't particularly fast growers.
Another possibility is the Skunk Loach. The Skunks are a tough smaller Loach that top out between 4" - 5" inches. The Skunks used to be fairly popular, but seem to be somewhat forgotten.
Another possibility is the Skunk Loach. The Skunks are a tough smaller Loach that top out between 4" - 5" inches. The Skunks used to be fairly popular, but seem to be somewhat forgotten.
