Kuhi, Zebra or Dwarf Loaches mixed with Panda Cory's?

I'm in the process of building a new 55 gallon tank. The tank has MopanI wood, natural rocks stacked to create a cave, and plants.

So far it is stocked with the following fish:
(6) Panda CorydorasCatfish
(2) Fresh WaterRiver Asian Clam
(1) Siamese AlgaeEater Fish
(10) Neon Tetra
(3) Dwarf Otocinclus Catfish

I plan on adding at a later date:

(1) Assassin Snail (to take care of any pest snails)
+ 1 more DwarfOtocinclus Catfish
(1) Dwarf AlbinoBristlenose Pleco
(1) DwarfBristlenose Pleco
(12) RummyNoseTetra
(2) Black LyretailMolly OR Black Molly OR Marble Lyretail MollyOR Black Sailfin Molly
(5) Dwarf NeonRainbow OR (1) Discus

The question is, in this configuration which Loach would work best, I was looking to add 4 Loaches:
* Kuhi
* Dwarf
* Zebra

I was leaning toward Zebra but read online that they can fin nip Cory's - any observations with this?

 

I would not mix cories and loaches in the same tank. Dwarf and zebra loaches are more outgoing and boisterous and will outcompete the cories for food as well as can be aggressive if you aren't keeping them in full schools. Kuhli's have the opposite problem. They are more shy than cories and the cories will outcompete them. In addition you will never see them keeping them in such small numbers. You need at least 6 and 8-10 would be better. But I still would not keep them with cories. If you truly want loaches then I would suggest rehoming the cories. If not, then up your cory numbers to around 12.

You have some other stocking issues as well if you'd like to discuss.

 

You can elaborate as I don't see any issues.
Translation to initial post: Cory's or loaches but never both - correct?

 

I have read also that the zebras can be territorial , I would go with the kuhlI loaches, I keep the striped kuhlI loaches and they are very peaceful amoung themselves and other fish, and do not bother any one. They should be kept in a minimum group of 6 but 8 would be better. They have a low bioload so would be fine in your 55 gallon tank. Plus they have a wider temperature tolerance than a lot of loaches that need cooler water. Mine are in a 78 to 80 degree tank. I highly recommend them. Alison

 

You can elaborate as I don't see any issues.
Translation to initial post: Cory's or loaches but never both - correct?

Oto's are schooling fish as are siamese algae eaters. Each need 5 or more to fully make a school and keep them in comfortable numbers.

Rummynose tetras prefer waters in the high 70's while neons do better in the low 70's. I wouldn't keep them in the same tank. I'd also consider doing only 2 schools of fish in a 55 in the mid/top levels of your tank. More than that and it limits the swimming area of the fish.

Discus need very warm water...like in the 80's. Which the majority of the fish you have chosen cannot do that warm of water...especially the neons and the pandas.

And yes, in a 55 gallon or similar footprint, cories or loaches. Not both

 

... and the Dwarf Neon Rainbow? Was considering the Discus or the Rainbows.

 

The dwarf rainbows would be fine with either neons or rummynose but have the most overlap with the rummys

 

The dwarf rainbows would be fine with either neons or rummynose but have the most overlap with the rummys

Thank you.

 

Turns out according to(if accurate) I will overstock my tank if I proceed with what I want to do. I have to drop the Loaches all together and can only add 1 additional Panda Cory.

 

I think you can keep kuhlis and panda cories together in a 55 gal tank, but I agree with tyguy and wouldn't do the other loaches with them. You could do 8 panda cories and 10 kuhlI laoches. The pandas are smaller than some of the other cories, and I don't think they would completely outcompete the kuhlis for food.