Loaches Online Forum

Hi everyone! I've just joined this forum, although I've been reading it for a few years.

Sadly I lost 3 clown loaches a few months ago ( I was planning to move them out of this tank when they were a bit bigger).

I've just bought a gorgeous wee shoal of dwarf rainbow fish and can't decide on which loach tank mates to add. I plan on buying 5 x either zebra, yoyo's, dwarf chains or polka dots.

Any opinions / advice?

You might want to put them in quarantine first. I think those are a species that often comes with parasites. As for tank mates, I don't think you can go wrong with dwarf chain loaches.

The chains do seem more peaceful that naughty yogo's or polkas!

Dwarf Rainbows, as in Melanotaenia praecox? Dwarf Neon Rainbows?
Active guys, not very dwarf. Thrive in warm water tanks.
Any of the Loaches that handle warm water and are otherwise suited to your tank would probably work.

Dwarf Rainbows as in one of the very small relatives such as Feather Fin (Iriatherina werneri), Blue Eyes (Pseudomugil species and others) or other smallest Rainbows? Only the smallest Loaches will work with these guys, and watch out for water conditions. Some of the Pseudomugils are fish that prefer harder water than some Loaches.

Found it difficult 2 get a selection of loaches in Scottish LFS! Everywhere sells Clowns cause they're cute then don't let on u need 5-10 in a Huge tank. 
Ended up with 5 gorgeous wee baby zebra loaches. Awwwwwww

Thx Diana, gonna let the loaches settle in & find the tetras new homes, then reassess