Zebra Loaches - will they be suitable?

[MJW]

Hi all

I wanted some advice on whether Zebra Loaches (Botia Striata) will be suitable for my setup.

I have a 100cm x 45cm x 50cm (200 litre) tank, been running about 6 weeks, with fine grade gravel (1-3mm) (Seachem fluorite).

Other tankmates are your standard community fare, tiger barbs, platys, zebra danios - will be adding neons, small rainbowfsh, nothing too tricky. Also have an Ancistrus for algae duty. No other bottom dwellers planned.

My water parameters are not ideal from looking at the species profile, ph is 7.5-7.6, haven't done a hardness test but water company says 15.9dH. I do have some bogwood which might bring it down.

I am really keen to get some loaches - any views on whether the Zebras would adapt to my chemistry, or any suggestions of other species if not, would be really helpful.

Thanks!

[NancyD]

I think striatas would be fine. Be sure to get a group of 6 or so

[MJW]

Thanks, that's helpful. I was going to go for 6.

Just need to add some hiding places first as I just have one big piece of bogwood in there at the moment.

[MJW]

One more question for the Botia Striata keepers out there - are they going to mind sharing a tank with a pair of Kribensis? Never kept either species before and wondering if the Zebras will cope with Kribs trying to be territorial.