Will an ADF survive in my aquarium?

Question

I have a 65g freshwater aquarium with an 8 inch pleco, 2 upside down catfish, 5 pearl gourami, 4 scissor tail rasbora, and a few neon tetra. I also have 3 clown loaches which are all about 3-4 inches each in length. I want to add an African Dwarf Frog or 2. I'm positive all my fish would leave them alone, but I'm not too sure about the loaches (they are kind of crazy)

Has anyone had any experience housing ADF's and loaches together?

Thanks

Answer 1

ADF's shouldn't be kept in large aquariums. They'd never be able to come up to the top of the tank so they won't end up getting any food as the other fish will always get there first. They're slow and bad swimmers.



The Clown Loaches won't bother them, they'll just steal the ADF's food. Clown Loaches are harmless fish, but they do get large. So watch out.



For the sake of the ADF's don't get any for that tank. If you had a smaller tank on hand you could have an ADF only tank so you'd still be able to enjoy them. They just don't do well in community tanks.



I know because I've wanted one for my 46 gallon tank (none of my fish would hurt it as they're all peaceful) it just would never be able to get any food.



I have however, had a 10 gallon tank with a few ADF's and 2 Kuhli Loaches and they did fine. So they do get along fine with Loaches, but you still can't house any in your tank.



Also, (I know you didn't ask for help on your tank stocking) but Scissortail Rasbora do best in a group of 6 or more as do Neon Tetra. Just an FYI.

Answer 2

They'll in and the above poster is right about how they cant swim that far, and how the other fish will steal alll their food.

But I wanted to mention that clown loaches are carnivours and have a ring of teeth in the back of their head. Clown loaches grow slow but will some day be 10-12 inches. even Baby clowns would devour quarter size or even larger snails if you put them in the tank.

Answer 3

Good question. I wanted to buy 3, but when I researched them I read that they need smaller aquariums that are not tall so they can get to the surface for air as they are not good swimmers or something like that. I don't know if that is true, but since I have a 29, tall aquarium I decided against it.



Loaches are peaceful and may bother one by swimming crazy, but they will get along.



African Dwarf Frogs are social and do so much better in groups. Even just one buddy is fine but 3+ is better...

Answer 4

i don't think it is your tanks inhabitants that won't work for ADF, it is the size of your tank and the fact that is already quite over-stocked ... ADF are not great swimmers and must come up to the top to breathe ... that is a long way for them to swim ... i kept some in a 30 gallon and i found they struggled ... and 3 clown loaches are already overstocking your tank considering you have so many other fish too, i would not put frogs in your tank ...

Answer 5

African Dwarf Frogs should be kept in 20 gallons at most. More wide than tall. They have to swim to the surface for air and a 65 gallon is WAY out there. Even a 30 gallon is too big for them unless in is wide and not tall, even then try to keep them in 10 or 20 gallons. 5 gallons can hold 2...

Answer 6

I would think the pleco might take a chance at it if he is hungry enough, the clown loach shouldnt mess with it either as long is they are fed well. Let any of them go without food and I think both would take a chance