Loaches Online Forum

I'm planning on setting up a 6x2x2 foot tank, principly for clown loaches with a few yo yos, kubs and zebras.
I have read that clowns feel more secure with dither fish above them.
I have also read, to my surprise, that clowns enjoy swimming with tiger barbs due to the colour of the tiger barb's markings. I always thought tiger barbs were very boisterous and trouble making.
Would tiger barb be suitable for a loach tank? What is the difference in temperment between tiger barb and black ruby barb?
Also I would love to put a few Bala sharks in there. Are Bala sharks too skittish and nervous for clown loaches?
I want my clowns to be cool and calm and happy. No Ick thanks!
I would love to hear peoples opinions.

I have 6 Bala Sharks upto 7" in with my Clowns and they are fine together, Rasboras make very good dither and are a lot more timid than the likes of Tiger Barbs.

In a tank that size a nice shoal of Rasbora borapatensis or even Rasbora trilineata would look very nice

Pretty much any active fish would work. Tiger barbs are a common dither fish but most other barbs would work as well. Some of the larger rasbora species would work, as would rainbowfish, giant danios, etc.

my observations of tiger barbs is that they really only bother with eachother if you have a good group of them.. But i havent had the chance to keep them in a home tank yet ^^

I just love balas.. I would keep some clowns and balas if i only had the tank space.. lol