Tropical Fish Forums

FISH4LIFE · Members Joined: 09 Jan 2007

I have a 55 g tank 2 zebra danios, 3 neon tetras, 1 or 3 glass catfish, 1 albino cory catfish, 3 red platties and soon will be getting some baby tiger barbs from an uncle and I was wondering if a clown loach and a dojo loach are good to get.

Cinder · Regulars Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Location: Colorado

I don't know about the Dojo - someone else will have to answer that.
Clown loaches need to be in schools of at least three and get quite large. They need a minimum 120 gln. tank - so, no, you shouldn't get any for your 55 gln.
Also, Tetras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least five or six. You should add a few more Neons to make them happy and comfortable.
Cories are also schooling fish and should be in groups of four or more. You could easily add more to your tank.
Tiger Barbs can be fin nippers and cause problems with other fish in a community tank. However, many people say that having them in larger schools (10 or more fish) stop that behavior, or keep it to a minimum. So - get a larger school and then keep an eye on them with the other fish.
You have a lot of options with that size tank - have fun learning about which fish will work for you.
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135 gln. freshwater tank
29 gln. freshwater tank

fiffy · Regulars Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Location: Arizona

Osprey · Advisors Joined: 15 May 2006 Location: Okotoks, AB

I second Fiffy here. You'll be happier with the fish you have if you increase their schools so that you can see their natural behavior (schooling, etc.). It's healthier for the fish, as well. Glass cats, cories, tetras and danios are all fish that are best kept in groups: at least 6-8 for the tetras and danios, and 3-5 for glass cats and cories (more is better in both cases, though. Large schools of fish are very impressive).
Clown loaches are out. For all that they are slow growers, they will still outgrow the tank in a little over a year, and they are a royal pain to catch and remove. Dojo loaches require a substrate they can burrow in and also get quite large. Although I haven't personally kept them, I don't believe they would come recommended to a tank smaller than 75 gallons.
How about yoyo or kuhli loaches? They stay smaller than the other loaches you mentioned. Just keep in mind, loaches like groups. You should get 3-4 of them.
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