Picking a compatible loach

[wickette]

I'm nearly ready to start adding fish to my tank. I have zero experience with loaches, I need something relatively Hardy for a loach that's 3"- 4.5" Problematic tank mates include long fin skirt tetras, 1 spotted Leaf fish(ctenopoma), and either 2 apisto. Cocatoides OR 3 gold Ram.

I'm partial to yoyo but told on another site that they grow to over 6 in and will harass the other fish. I also like golden zebra loaches but they're hard to find. Kuhlis are nice too but not IDK if the leaf fish will try to swallow them. whatever works with the other fish will be the main factor.

The tank is homemade 49 gal 38.5x18x18. Filter is aDIY 3.5 gal 400gph canister, and a DIY 300gph 0.5gal HOB

[NancyD]

https://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoyo_loach

Your tank's footprint seems a bit too small to house 5 or 6 of these fish.

[matthummel]

you're a really optimistic person although this is the first time you do it.