Loaches Online Forum

Hi
I am restocking my discus tank and i need a bottom dwellar. I am thinking about getting some YoYo or Pakastani loaches(same fish). Do you think there will be a problem with them in the discus tank? I have had clown loaches with the discus before and they were fine...until they(discus) became sick and excreted lots more slim coat or something and they had a taste of it and enjoyed it so continued to do it until i got rid of the clown loaches(back to LFS)
Cheers

you would probably be best to go with botia striata. IME they're more placid than yoyos, although yoyos aren't horrible.

Cories also make good, peaceful bottom dwellers.

I don't really know anything about discus, but don't they like really calm water? If that's the case, don't get any Botia sp. Cories would probably be ok, or kuhli loaches.

Hi fishkid951,

Personally I wouldn't recommend housing any of the Botiine loaches with discus. Their nocturnal behaviour will alarm the discus and can cause them much worry at a time when they should be resting. Certain species also behave in a very boisterous manner when food is added to the tank too (Yo-yos a definite), also stressing the discus. You have to be sure that the discus are definitely getting their fair share of the food too. I think you'd be better off with some of the larger Corydoras species.

Emma

ok what type of loach/catfish can i get? to me corydoras are ok but i want afew more suggestions. Kuhlis are too small-had a few 6months or so again and i never saw them.

what about something like a dwarf loach? any other types?

What about plecos instead?

There should be several nice looking plecos, say around 3", that can tolerate the parameters. Large plecos will cause problems with maintaining clean tank, but at 3" or so, you should be able to keep water quality high enough.

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PS. It is interesting that the Clowns like Discus' slime coat. Grown up SAE's do too. Something tasty out there....

i would have to agree with the others and say go with the corydoras fo a bottom dweller they are peaceful enough and do a good job of cleaning the place up.

Discus are very high maintenance and shy and should not be kept with Yo-Yos who are boisterus and obnoxious at times. Emma was astute with her comments about this. A Peacock eel or two would add a nice active twist ,stay small and not eat to much nor pay attention to the Discus.Pleco that stays small like a Rubber or a Clown Pleco would be nice. Cory's are always a welcome addition also,the hardest thing about them is deciding which specie you want .Keep your bio-load small with the discus for their health. Tinman