Apisto Aggasiz And Clown Loaches

[humvee2800]

27 gallon tank
well filtered but requires common water changes

6 to 8 inch pleco
9 tiger barbs
apisto aggasiz couple
2 clown loaches

With great difficulty I have finally found a good tank setup where my fish are not trying to kill eachother. However the male of my new apistos really does not like my loaches, and keeps chasing them around the tank. Halp ?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I wish I could say this is a way that doesn't sound so bad, but.....

First off, two clowns is too few. They should be in groups of at least 5. And not even one clown can live in a 27 gal tank for much time. Clowns get big and they are also armed with what I call a set of switchblades. These are two sharp pointy spines (bifurcated Suboccular spines) that they can protrude from under each eye. It is a nasty weapon when it comes to a fish fight. You can see a pic of this here loaches.com

Second, the apistos are cave spawners and then they raise young until free swimming in a pit in the substrate. Clowns love caves and other sorts of hidey holes as well as rooting around in substrate. Clowns would also love to eat fry.

Third, a 6-8 inch pleco has no business being in a 27 gal either especially if it gets bigger.

 

[Mowbz]

+1 on the clown loaches.

I really wanted some a while ago, but they need to be in groups of 6+ and grow to a foot long. 27 Gallons just isnt going to be enough for those guys im afraid....