Loaches Online Forum

About six weeks ago I added seven Sids to my community tank. I thought I'd done enough research, but I somehow neglected to absorb the fact that they are crazy, hyperactive, little maniacs. Unfortunately, their antics seem to be stressing out some of my more placid fish. Also, at least one of them has recently started fin nipping, which greatly offends my pacifist sensibilites.

They're currently housed in a 46 gallon planted tank. In addition, I have a 10 gallon planted shrimp tank.
Is it ridiculous to even think of housing seven Sids in a 10 gallon? It's medium planted with a sand substrate, and over-filtered enough that water quality wouldn't be a problem, but is it just way too small for them?

The other thing I was considering is splitting them up between the two tanks, so that their impact is lessened in the community tank. I know that they're social, schooling fish, but my Sids barely interact with one another, much less school together. If I look over at the tank at any given time, I'm likely to see seven Sids in seven different locations - unless there's food, of course
Do you think they could be happy as one trio and one quartet? If I split them up and don't notice any behavior changes can I assume they're happy? Or is splitting them up a bad idea?

I hate to give up on them just yet. They're pretty cute little devils, and they cost me $90. However, if I can't make this situation work, I will find them a new home. Anyone in the Portland, OR area should feel free to start campaigning for them!

If anyone has more experience with these fish than I do, I would very much appreciate your help. For simplicity, I have highlighted the questions I'm hoping to have answered. I tend to be rather long-winded so I thought this might be useful.

10g is too small. What other fish are in the 46g tank? I

chefkeith wrote:10g is too small. What other fish are in the 46g tank? I

The Sids are really bugging my Blue Ram pair and my Pearl Gourami, who is quite large, but also slow and docile. The female Blue Ram looks particularly miserable. It's only a theory, but I think that all the activity in the tank is stressing her out. The male Blue Ram and the Gourami don't look stressed, but their fins are getting nipped.
The Blue Rams are my favorite fish so it really bothers me to see them getting harassed. I can't move them into the shrimp tank because they're avid shrimp hunters. (I once saw the male swimming around victoriously with a full-grown shrimp sticking out of his mouth)