Vintage Boots: Osteocheilus Hasselti

Osteocheilus Hasselti

Despite its adult size this species is actually quite shy and will be easily outcompeted for food by much more aggressive species. While smaller tankmates are unlikely to be preyed on similarly-sized cyprinids, characins, catfish and perhaps large clown loach are probably better choices. A Mekong-themed community could be an interesting project with options including Barbonymus altus, B. schwanenfeldii, variousCyclocheilichthys and other Osteochilus species, Hypsibarbus wetmorei and many more. Given its feeding style it should also do well alongside sand-sifting cichlids such as Geophagus or Satanoperca.

Although it is gregarious by nature it is a shoaling rather than schooling species which develops a distinctpecking order and therefore should always be maintained in a group of five or more.