More Than One Rainbow Shark

[techen]

Is it possible to have more than one rainbow shark?
 
I was told it was possible to get some in my 200L tank if my angels didn't work out, which is looking quite likely. 

 

[MBOU]

Personally I think its harsh to have even 1 in such a small territory...
 
1 might be ok in 200L but will outgrow it eventually, some faster than others... small RTS (or whichever colour variation you go for) are lovely as babies but as they grow, they get meaner and meaner...
 
2 will likely fight constantly unless you are lucky. In my experience... about 1 in 20 can keep multiple RTBS (or whatever colour you go for) together.
 
Not like they are a lovely active, easily visible species to keep... plenty of better choices out there!! How about Flag Tail Porthole Catfish?

 

[techen]

Am only working off what my LFS has, I was also looking at drawf chain loaches

 

[MBOU]

See... DCL are something else... you could happily have a billion loaches together with no problems!! (give a big tank and a lottery win ). Loaches are social, RTBS (and albinos and rubies) are not. Simples
 
Botia Striata or Zebra Loach are reasonably common, not too big (8-10cm is big for them!) and about as friendly as a loach could possibly be!

 

[techen]

Well at the moment I have 15 tetras, 2 angels, 3 otos and I wanted around 6 chain loaches.
 
Bu the angels are on temp at the mo.
 
What do you think?

 

[MBOU]

Fine! 6 dwarf chain loach or 5-6 zebra loaches.. fine
 
There are tiny itty bitty species of loaches that look awesome as a small army.. but harder to get hold of and angels would eat...

 

[techen]

Angels would eat chain loaches? My LFS are getting them in they said.

 

[MBOU]

no no! dwarf chain loaches are a long way from being the smallest species of loaches!! lol
 
my favourites are:
 
Rosy Loach - Tuberoschistura arakanensis
http/www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1318&bih=766&q=rosy+loach&oq=rosy+loach&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l2.1661.8015.0.8312.14.13.0.1.1.0.1012.5592.2j2j1j0j5j0j2j1.13.0...0.0...1ac.1.4.img.CmOAOAvcTW0#imgrc=nKY-NsRnK51MaM%3A%3B_S5ueDVRY_LE9M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.loaches.com%252Fspecies-index%252Fphotos%252Ft%252Ftuberoschistura_arakenensis_06.jpg%252Fimage_preview%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.loaches.com%252Fspecies-index%252Ftuberoschistura-arakanensis%3B400%3B213
 
Laos Multibar Loach - Yunnanilus cruciatus
http/www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1318&bih=766&q=laos+multibar+loach&oq=laos+multibar+loach&gs_l=img.3...1370.10662.0.10994.21.10.1.10.10.0.1086.5286.3j3-1j1j1j2j2.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.4.img.HdHDrcICOJ8#imgrc=3Gx7Cb_QsGOp1M%3A%3BIqmz8G3QCRD0mM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.loaches.com%252Fspecies-index%252Fphotos%252Fy%252FYunnanilus_cruciatus_01.jpg%252Fimage_medium%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.loaches.com%252Fspecies-index%252Fyunnanilus-cruciatus%3B600%3B357
 
If either species get to 2cm and skinny... it would be big LOL. Cute as heck diddy snail munching loaches!

 

[techen]

Ah okay, I have my mind set on dwarf chains though, your saying thats okay then in a tank my size?

 

[MBOU]

they would be perfect for your tank small enough to have a nice shoal, big enough to not be eaten etc and nice friendly species

 

[techen]

Thanks Mbou, I'll see about getting 6 or so.
 
My tetras are fine but I might get rid of a male or two as they keep being a dommy bunch.
 
And well angels, yea gotta work this out too. Lots of fish troubles

 

[SouthernCross]

I have two in my 450 litre...they generally just avoid each other and I have never seen them fight. They are fairly big, too.

 

[sadguppy]

I have seven dwarf chain loaches in my 200l, they are the cutest! One is super skinny and two are really fat...

 

[techen]

I agree, I love chain loaches and I must have them! XD