Fishy friends?

Question
Hi! I am curious as two of my fish appear to be friends. I am wondering as one is a discus and the other is a clown loach. The discus in question has four other friends and is bullied by almost every one of them. The loach has one loach friend and a red tailed black shark as a friend. The loaches and shark get on very well and snuggle up to eachother to sleep.
The discus seems to be being protected by the loach (tiger) and every time they meet, they touch each other. The loach on the barbles and the discus, just above the mouth. Are these signs of affection or is it just coincidence?? The fish are both quite young.
I'm not sure if I have got my email address right so if I don't reply, thanks for the answer!

Answer
Hi AJ,

Interesting question! Loach communication may be through barbel touch, in some way, and perhaps they have formed a relationship as friends, and have chosen to school together.  Loaches are school fish and enjoy schooling.  They are my favorite fish, besides Elephant Noses, for this reason.

The discus is lucky to have buddies.  

Something else about Discus you might consider.  They exhude a skin coating unlike that of other fish.  When babies are born, they actually suckle and adhere to the skin coating at times, to eat and nourish themselves.  Perhaps this is a female Discus and she is in brood mode.  Perhaps the loach likes the taste of her skin, and is tasting it.

Either way, the bond is formed, and that is why they hang together, so that sounds fascinating.  You should take a video and share it on Youtube.  People often have different fish who become lovers.  It's always exciting to see.

Happy fish-keeping.
Renee