Zebra loach behaviour

[Negseven]

Has any one seen zebra loach being slightly aggressive to other fish? Noticed one of mine nearly lip locking with one of my angels? Has stopped doing it now, but slightly unusual…..

 

[Byron]

Yes. I am going to assume you do not have a group of at least five or six because such behaviour is generally due to insufficient numbers. Loaches are highly social, they establish an hierarchy within the group. Denied this option, they become aggressive (all shoaling/schooling fish do the same, but it varies depending upon species).

Compatibility/Temperament: Generally peaceful, but like all loaches (to some degree) they establish a social structure within the group and there will be some in-fighting though not damaging if the fish are maintained in a group of at least five and there are numerous hiding places in the aquarium. They can be combined with some other loach species. Long-finned and sedate upper fish should be avoided to prevent fin nipping; suitable upper fish are barbs, rasbora, danios, characins.

Angelfish obviously fit the bill as long-fin and sedate, so they are targets.

BTW, common names ar often misleading, I am assuming you mean the species Botia striata. The other "zebra" loaches are much larger and way more tenacious.