Loaches Online Forum

I got a 40 gallon breeder from Petco during their last sale, and I'm in the process of building the stand and getting the filter/heater/hardscape in line. Dimensions are 36" long x 18" wide x 16" tall. That means that I have time to think about a stock list. I have two ideas:

Idea one is a sub tropical tank with a paradise fish and white clouds. I know dojo loaches are subtropical and would (probably) work with those species, but I'm unsure if a 40B is too small or not. Other than hillstream loaches (which I don't want as the tank probably won't have overly high flow), are there any other loaches comfortable in 60-70 degree (Farenheit) water that would fit in a 40B?

Idea two is just a general, tropical community tank. Would a school of about 6-8 zebra or kubotai work in that tank?

Thanks for your advice.

That tank is right at the edge of being too small for Dojos when they are young, and certainly will be too small when they mature.

Zebra Loaches are very well suited to that size.

I have Kuhlie Loaches in my 40B, but I only ever see them at one end. They sure dance around in that space, just not all over the tank.

It might be OK for Kubotais, though ultimately they might be too large.

I would avoid any that grow longer than about 3-1/2 to 4".

I was looking into species and was thinking about possibly Yunnanilus cruciatus. Being tiny, I'd probably end up with a small fish community, but I was wondering (to those of you who have any experience with them) if they were hard to feed? I have a wide variety of pellets and flakes available, and can sometimes get frozen, but anything live is extremely hard to come by where I live. Are there any feeding problems with them or tips or anything?

My cories get shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and micro pellets, occasional zuchinni and peas, whatever flakes the tetras don't get to, and occasional frozen bloodworms and blackworms. Does that sound good for feeding Yunnanilus cruciatus?

Also, would a school of about 10 do fine with a school of 8 Corydoras julii that I may end up moving over to the bigger tank?