New Tank, Can I Put These Fish Together?

[vikki92]

Hi guys, ill try to keep this as short as possible .
Basically i have a 2ft tank, in it i just have Clownloach and Pakistani loach . Anyway, ive inherited from a family member a larger 4ft tank which comes with some fish, pictus catfish', tiger barbs and 2 convicts .Are those fish ok to go with my loaches?
Onviously a full water change is going to be done so i can give everything a proper clean first.
Just after opinions?

 

[SherLar]

   Hello, and welcome to the forum.
   Before you go adding fish to your new tank, it needs to be cycled like any other tank unless you plan to keep the filter media and much of the water. Either way, the fish need to be transitioned to the new water before just dumping them in.
   Convicts are Central America cichlids, and are fairly aggressive and territorial fish. If you plan to keep them, I would put them in your smaller tank, and leave the larger tank for your other fish.
   You're heavy on bottom fish, with not much in the way of middle and top swimmers except the barbs. That being said, most of the fish you mentioned are schooling (shoaling) species, and like to be in groups. The clown loaches can grow fairly large- up to 8" (20 cm) - though, and can quickly become too large for many tanks. They prefer groups of at least 5+ fish. Yoyo loaches are smaller, and can be kept in groups of 3-4 fish happily. Ideally, tiger barbs should be in schools of at least 6 fish. Pictus catfish can be alone if necessary, but prefer schools. I have 5 in a 90G and it's fun watching them move around the tank together. A single fish will mostly hide during the day.

 

[vikki92]

Yeah the fish have been moved while i set it up today .Kept about a quarter of tank in water with the filter still running too so will test it in couple of days and check if theyre good to go in.
Clowns and yoyo are in large groups already, 7 and 4 respectively.
Just not sure about the convicts, ones male and ones female so often lay eggs, may keep them in small tank when ive moved rest of fish, small tank is only 78 litres tho?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Incidentally, clown loaches will grow up to closer to 16 inches.
 
http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus

 

[SherLar]

   78 Liters is about 20 US gallons. A bit small for convicts, even just a pair. Would work for a short time, if you plan on getting a larger tank.
   And yes, if you have a m-f pair, they'll breed like guppies. Then, you'll be stuck with the fry also since- in my experience at least -convicts are almost impossible to get rid of. A couple of my LFSs will take certain fry and/or adult fish in exchange for store credit, but have never gotten them to take convicts. Can't even give them away usually.
   If worse comes to worst, I understand that many types of cichlids are food fish in their native areas.

 

[Byron]

You have some major issues with the suggested fish stocking.  Before I get to that, I will just say in passing that you need to properly cycle the new tank, and this takes weeks, not hours.  Please read the articles on cycling here
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/291-cycle-your-tank/
they are at the top, marked "pinned."
 
Moving on to the fish species.  A four-foot tank is not sufficient space for clown loaches as they mature.  Loaches are very highly social fish, and given their size, will need a 6-foot tank at absolute minimum, and preferably larger.
 
The Pakistani Loach could be the species Botia almorhae, though this common name has been applied to other species.  Four may work out, it would be better to have five or six, but things may be OK if you're lucky with the individual fish.  They will do fine in a 4-foot tank; jut make sure they have lots of chunks of wood with tunnels and/or crevices.  Loaches need to find their individual "home," and they love playing tag through wood tunnels and such.  We may view this as "play," but to the loaches it is more serious.
 
The above problems must be resolved before even considering other fish.  I realize you are inheriting fish with the new tank, which is unfortunate, but perhaps workable.
 
Pictus Catfish again needs a group, more info here
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pimelodus-pictus/
but I am doubtful that this species and the loaches will be compatible.
 
Tiger Barbs must have a group and at least eight but preferably more.  This species is aggressive by nature, but keeping it in larger groups usually avoids serious issues.  But it must never be combined with sedate fish--which includes all cichlids--as this is only asking for trouble.
 
The convicts should be moved on their own, the smaller tank is a very temporary solution.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Byron.