Loaches Online Forum

I'm getting ready to set up my short 60gal tank later this month, and with the added space, hope to add a few loaches to my number. Right now I have 4 young Histrionica and Zebra Danios as dither fish. I wanted to add a pair or trio of Histrionica to round out my group, but I can't find any. I'd buy online, but the shipping price is too high for me.

I am still asking around at a variety of lfs to see if any can order some, but I'm starting to give up hope. If I can't find any more Histrionica, would it be a good idea to just add a batch of another type of loach to keep them company? If so, which type? My four are very happy as is, but I'm afraid that they'll get lonely if I don't get more.

The current loaches I am finding locally are:
Clown Loach
Yoyo
Skunk Loach (found them only recently)
Striata
Kubotai
Yasuhikotakia Sidthimunki


These are off the top of my head, mind you, but I don't recall seeing any other types that were not of the hillstream variety.

I do love the Clowns, and one of the lfs has a beautiful 7" one...but they get way to big for my setup. @_@
From what I hear, the skunks are way too aggressive and the Yoyos need more space for a good sized group.
That leaves me with the Striata, Kubotai, and the Sids.

So, would any of these three be good company for my Histrionica?
Thoughts?

I have all of the ones you mentioned with my Histie, but I would avoid the skunks and the clowns like you mentioned. I love my skunks, but their personality can be too aggressive for the sweet Histies. I am lucky because my skunks are well behaved and cause me no problems.

My top picks would be striata definitely and yoyos too. I have these together and they make a really good combination. Striatas may be better because they stay smaller. I really like them. Very pretty and nice personalities.

Last night my alpha striata and a sub. yoyo were having a quarrel, but no injuries resulted. Just clicking and greying out.

I wish I could get the Skunks. I just fell in love with them at the store, but even there, I saw the aggression that they are notorious for. Maybe down the line I'll get a Skunk tank, but I agree, they wouldn't work with my sweet little Histies.

The Striata are readily available in my area and I would be able to get a full group from one store without taking up too much space in my tank.

Thanks for the feedback~!

My histies and sids get along great and seem to play well together. The sids are great little guys and I would get more if I could. Unfortunately the latest batch at my LFS are quite sickly.

Ok, that's one vote for Striata and One for Sids. Hmm, I'm glad I have time to think about this!