S. Balteata - Not in need of a group?

[tender]

Hi!
My local fish shop has got in a group of S. Balteata. In the species index it says: "When (my highlight) keeping more than one specimen it is important to create visual barriers between each hiding place."
Does this mean that, unlike other loaches, it is possible to keep only one specimen in the tank?

Kind regards
Marius Podolski

[piggy4]

These are a little feisty with each other ! as to wheather or not they would need a foil , so to speak ? personally I'd be a little cautious !

[tender]

So just one, could be ok?

[Matt]

In my experience they do interact peacefully provided the tank is literally stuffed with rockwork. I used to watch them in and around the network of tunnels and holes in my tank and rather than fight they would inspect each other and move on when they bumped into one another. My theory about this is that in the absence of a single prime spot to defend the fish were simply less aggressive as each could find a suitable home. Here's a couple of pics of the tank:



Edit: to answer your question tender, I think in theory you could keep only one without being cruel but in the absence of conspecifics it might start pestering other bottom-dwelling tankmates. What would you be keeping it with?

[tender]

Thanks for the reply
But I still wonder: is it ok to have just 1 specimen of this particular species, or is it cruel to the fish?

[Matt]

See edited post above; we cross-posted tender.

[tender]

I have three choices... either my Loach-tank which includes Clowns and Yo-Yo`s or a more "mixed" tank that has striatas,Histrionicas,dwarfs and dither spescies (I imagine this wouldn`t be the best choice?) or my Skunk tank, but surely the Skunks would be to feisty?

Kind regards
Marius

[Matt]

On paper I'd say the skunk tank would be the best choice but having not kept any of the other species mentioned I'd wait for a more expert opinion Marius.

[tender]

Ok!
Thanks for the help, Matt

[chris1932]

Not for nothing but have a group of 40 or so in a planted 150 and they group together under stones and driftwood. I started out with 12 every time there are fry I keep a few and throw them back.

Chris

[wasserscheu]

Hi Marius,

I still have no problems with my group of 4. I keep them with B.Striatas, Clowns and Y.Caudipunctata. However I keep the "cf"-edition...

Also some more details and picture here:

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... t=balteate