Loaches with Plecos?

H

Hooked Newbie

Today will be yesterday tomorrow
May 25, 2007
5,314
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Georgia
Real Name
Len
Ok, I know the conventional wisdom is simply to say "no", but why? Has anyone actually had a tank with them co-existing? I'm asking mostly out of curiousity, but also because I'm contemplating moving up to 3 BN into a 55 that has 7 loaches (Schistura mahnerti & Sinibotia robusta). The tank currently has an algae problem that doesn't really concern me (I know the cause and want the extra light for plant growth temporarily). But, I'm tempted to at least allow the plecos to benefit from it.

What do you think? Experiences? Thoughts?
 
My Botia kubotai will actually snuggle up to my big male bristlenosed pleco when they're stressed. They dive right under his pectoral fins. I've never had any issues.
 
A lot of plecos and loaches are found in fast flowing parts of the rivers and streams. I see no reason why they cannot however Hooked Newbie, you are choosing to move those plecos with the slightly more aggressive Sinibotia robusta which shouldn't be done at all. The Schistura mahnerti won't be a problem but the Sinibotia robusta can be. Your Ancistrus may be able to handle them due to their territorial nature but I would rather the plecos are not to be stressed by constant harassments especially if you may have plans to breed them.:)
 
I've not chosen anything yet and was hoping that you'd see this thread. The advice is appreciated and you can call me HN. ;)
 
My loach and pleco cohabiting experience is limited to clowns and sidthimunkis with bristlenose. The former, when they get bigger than the BN, can be a problem. I lost 6 bn before I figured out it must be the clowns. On the other hand the sids being way smaller than bristles are just fine.

The potential problems is that both loaches and plecos tend to inhabit similar areas and love caves.
 
I've only ever had Clown Loaches and some zebra looking things, but they've always gotten along with my 3 plecos, 2 common and 1 BN.
 
Have 4 clowns (3.5 - 4.5 inch), 4 sinobotia robusta (3.5 inch), 1 sinobotia pulchra (4 inch) together with 2 longfin bristelnose (~4.5 inch). (And two sandsi cory cats)
Have not discovered any problem so far. Would like to add more Loaches, but can I? Have a 120g tank.
 
Your tank has more space than a 55g although Sinibotia robusta can at times be snippy. If it works for you, then I see no reason to stop you from that although in generally, care must be taken when selecting tankmates with Sinibotia robusta. I'd add more Sinibotia pulchra if I were you. Any other fish with them?
 
The s. pulchra was the only one I saw, was inbetween the S. robusta, but will check next time I go to that market.
but was rather thinking of other loaches. the robusta are out, most of the time, the pulchra is more into hiding, except at feeding time...
S. robusta are a little 'snippy', agree, but no harm done to other fish. The Serpae tetras are more aggressive, according to my experience...
 
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