Search found 54 matches

by Total Package
Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:02 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Plants for river aquaria
Replies: 9
Views: 6389

vals tend to do well in high flow areas. I've got quite a few along the back of my tank in the direct flow from the powerhead.
by Total Package
Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:00 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Snail article?
Replies: 16
Views: 10865

I do think that loaches are very good at getting rid of snails. They are probably the best fish for it. The only thing is you still need to consider the requirements of the fish (water parameters, water volume, substrate, temperature, group size, other fish etc.). Clown loaches are the worst fish fo...
by Total Package
Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:39 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Need help furnishing clown/mixed loach tank
Replies: 17
Views: 11477

Sounds similar to my tank with the 3M substrate, circular flow, fake cave, and driftwood. For natural decor, I found that dark river stones look good with the colorquartz. I've also had success with keeping crypts, java ferns, vals and amazon swords in the colorquartz. (Java ferns are attached to sm...
by Total Package
Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:18 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Best sand stirring loach?
Replies: 9
Views: 7627

I've not found b. kubotai, b. striata or b. almorhae to be really good sand stirrers. They typically just dig out a hole somewhere under a piece of driftwood/decor and hang out there. I've never observed any "random" stirring/digging around the tank.
by Total Package
Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:19 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: hillstream loach??
Replies: 17
Views: 12838

It seems to be pretty normal for hillstreams to take some time to acclimate to dry foods. This may work: Get a jar and a aquarium safe rock. Drop the rock(s) in. Fill it with water and put it in front of a window. Add a bit of aquarium fertilizer. That'll make a nice algae covered rock for them to s...
by Total Package
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:33 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Tankmates for Kubs
Replies: 6
Views: 4765

I have mine in with botia striata, turquoise rainbows, a platy I've had for a while, and a bristlenose pleco.

They all get along well but the rainbows are greedy fish.
by Total Package
Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:57 pm
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Could this be what is happening to the eggs?
Replies: 11
Views: 7673

Even if the eggs do get past them, isn't it pretty likely that danios and the other dithers would eat the fry?
by Total Package
Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:56 pm
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Fish-food economics
Replies: 53
Views: 47497

Just a warning on that blender, do not leave it plugged in. I had one that spontaneously turn itself on and got insanely hot.
by Total Package
Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:20 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Loach deaths...insight, please?
Replies: 4
Views: 4032

Could you have a case of ammonia poisoning? It is quite possible that the filter became overloaded with the introduction of the new rams.

Typical symptons include lethargy, loss of appetite, redding of gills, red streaks (spots?)
by Total Package
Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:45 pm
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Help with Loach ID Please
Replies: 27
Views: 18818

There are alot of fish at the chain stores that are really unsuitable for 90%+ of the aquariums out there. Pangias catfish (irridescent sharks) bala sharks (can work, but usually aren't sold with the understanding they can reach a foot) channel catfish (I assume they're meant as a pond fish, but the...
by Total Package
Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:37 pm
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Hillstreams with Fancy Goldfish
Replies: 9
Views: 8328

temperature wise, they like the same sort of setup. HOWEVER, hillstreams like/need current. Goldfish won't be able to take it, especially the fancy varieties. Fancy goldfish have delicate fins and their fins can't take the high flow rates advised for hillstream loaches. So I won't keep fancy goldfis...
by Total Package
Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:09 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Algea on plants
Replies: 21
Views: 13174

ferts don't have to be expensive. For the most part, the usual fertilizers, (phospate, potassium, and nitrate) are all cheaply bought. You can find things like potassium nitrate on the internet for almost nothing, especially when you compare it to the cost of "aquarium fertilizers." Your trace ferti...
by Total Package
Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:15 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Please HELP, Feeding Yoyo and Kuhliis
Replies: 2
Views: 2695

perhaps try the turkey baster approach to target feeding.

Drop some food in for the yoyos, something that'll take them awhile to eat...like a pellet. This should distract the yoyos. You can then shoot some food from a turkey baster directly where the kuhlis are.
by Total Package
Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:14 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: YoYo Loaches?
Replies: 8
Views: 7004

you would probably be best to go with botia striata. IME they're more placid than yoyos, although yoyos aren't horrible.

Cories also make good, peaceful bottom dwellers.
by Total Package
Fri May 25, 2007 7:37 am
Forum: Loach Forum
Topic: Help my Clown please
Replies: 34
Views: 20574

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the pH really. As long as it's moderately stable/slowly changing, anything around 6.5-7.5 isn't going to be a problem at all. I've never had trouble keeping fish in pH ranges outside of their "ideal" range. My loaches (yoyos, striata, and kubotai) are in water that...