Tiger Barbs and Clown loaches

HI all, I have a 600 litre tank, so a 6x2x2, and have 10 tiger barbs and 2 clown loaches... I was watching them today and saw that they have all been schooling together? the clowns are probably 2/3 inches and the tiger barbs 2... I was just wondering... is this normal behaviour!? I thought clown loaches were bottom dwellers but mine seem to be swimmin where ever the barbs go! pretty cool to watch but yeah... just alittle odd hey! any opinions?

 

Maybe they're confused? They do have very similar colour patterns. I don't really know though, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along soon.

 

loaches are social fish that really need the company of their own kind. That's a major factor, and add to it that they are still babies so security in numbers is even more important. I think you'll notice a change in behavior once you get more loaches.

 

I have been told and read online that you need at least 5 clown loaches. The more the merrier.

Anyway, as for them swimming with tiger barbs I think it's due to them mimicking other fish.

I read somewhere they copy what other fish do.

Sure someone else will find a link and post it here before I do

 

My Clowns were always all over the tank. I figured that meant they were comfortable.
Carol

 

Loaches swim in all levels. They are schooling fish. And without proper numbers they are attempting to school with the barbs. Get more loaches and this behavior will change. They don't do well in small numbers.