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Hi,

I was hoping if someone could help me with a slight problem I have. I am about to set up a 6'X2'X2' tank and can't decide between a school (5-6) cory's or the same sized school of Clown Loaches. Or can I have both schools in that sized tank? Will there be too much competition at the bottom of the tank or will it be big enough to accomodate all? I will have a lot of driftwood (several smaller pieces and one large log that is hollow and plenty of plants as well.

Thanks in advance

James

Hey bud, welcome to Fish Profiles.

For your question, I think that you could safely have at least six clown loaches and pretty much as many Corydoras as you like. That is a big tank, about one hundred eighty gallons in U.S. measurements. Though clown loaches are big fish (eventually growing to about a foot or thirty cm), a tank that size should be sufficient for a group. Corydoras are much smaller fish, so you'll easily be able to fit in a large shoal of any species. I can see where you're concerned about the loaches outcompeting the cories for food, but I know that there are several members here who keep or have kept clown loaches and Corydoras together without problems. I do know that there shouldn't be any aggression between the two types of fish.

Do you have any particular species of cory catfish in mind? Clown loaches prefer temperatures that are higher than the average tropical tank temp, but most cories favor a lower temperature. It would be best for you to select a species that either is used to higher temperatures, or is adaptable and can easily tolerate those temps. It's sort of finding a compromise between the fish.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks for the help. I am leaning towards the bronze cory as they are pretty common here (Brisbane, Australia). I was going to have the tank at 26 deg. Celsius (78.8 deg. F) which I am pretty sure is in the range for both (and most other fish too), do you think that will be OK? Wouldn't want them geting chills or sweating too much

I think that's a good choice. These guys are not only common, but they're cheap, and a shoal won't cost as much as with most other species. The bronze cory (Corydoras aeneus) is one of the largest cories (about eight cm) and is also one of the hardiest, so they'll be able to handle the slightly higher temperatures and compete for their fair share of food. 26 degrees C will be fine for both them and the loaches.

Last edited by sirbooks at 15-Nov-2005 21:27

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

That's excellent. Thanks heaps for your help. 6 of both it is.

You can get about 40 Bronze Corydoras in a 6 foot tank.


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I also welcome you I see this is your first post. How about telling us something about your self.
You certainly can not a problem at all. If you intend to have a school of Clown Loaches please make sure there is plenty of caves where they can go to. This will help settle them down very quickly when they are first introduced.

Here are plenty of photos of my tank and the Clowns

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

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Thanks for the welcome.
My story:

I had a 5 ft tank around ten years ago, and am just getting back into fishkeeping. I am planning on a natural, planted tank. I have one large hollow log (in the process of sinking and leaching the tannins), several smaller pieces of driftwood (bristlenose should enjoy them), some pieces of slate to make a few walls or caves and a large flat rook which I am putting on another piece for a lean-to effect, so hopefully there are heaps of caves and nooks for them to feel secure. The tank isn't set up yet, but I have been planning it for around 2 months so far, and I will put it all together around christmas, when I am on holiday from work. I have everything purchased - filter, heaters, substrate etc. and I am now at the stage of selecting fish. I have been researching all aspects of the setup and inhabitants everyday since deciding on getting it (alot has changed in 10 years!), so hopefully I should be able to keep a happy tank with happier fish by the time it is setup. My partner will be happy when it is done, she is getting tired of my excitement...

The amount of info out there is phenomenal, hence the solid research, but the forums are great, as you can't beat friendliness and experience.

Sounds a lot like my loach tank tannins and all. The loaches hardly ever bother or even mingle with the cory, typically always in different parts of the tank from the others. To be honest even though it mentions not much competition for food above it has never mattered as they seem to prefer different foods anyways. I feed a mixture of flakes/pellets/ and wafers in that tank.

Now if you start thinking about other loaches just be careful in thier selection. My cobras, leopards, zippers, yoyos, clowns are just fine with the cory cat. The skunk loaches seem to have issues every now and again, but havent since I upgraded them to a six foot tank. By issues I mean territorial shredding fin type issues.

Goodluck

Koi

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