Tropical Fish Forums

[richrichrich]

I saw some interesting loaches in a store recently. I think they were members of this family:
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane
They were small, around an inch diameter, and kind of dark granite grey colored. They appeared rather tough skinned looking on their topside. One clinging to the glass revealed what looked like a tender, or softbellied underside. I'm wondering if they would survive in any of my cichlid tanks. Since I have had some plecos with the cichlids, they seem able to survive over time, and not be "bothered" by any fish. I know plecos are sort of "armour plated", and don't realy have a soft underside. After reading about the loaches now, I'm all the more interested, since they enjoy having strong currents of water, and prefer rocks. I believe since I keep my cichlids well fed, they might just ignore the loaches, and not pester them. I do think if they wanted to bother the loaches, and managed to flip one over, the soft fleshy underside would be too irresistable. and that would be it for the loaches.......Of all I can find about the loaches, most people suggest they be given their own tank, and plenty of space, since they can grow quite large.......I have tanks of Convicts, Kenyi, and Auratus. Some tanks consist of mixes, of these fish. All fish are in the two to three inch range. In the store, they have the loaches of course, in with harmless community fishes, like tetras and barbs. What would be my chances of trying to raise one or two, amongst cichlids? Near zero? If so, how about in with some Convict young that I'm raising, in the half to three quarter inch range? Or Kenyi young, in the same size range?

[diademhill]

Not suitable.

They need different conditions and are not armoured.