Loaches Online Forum

Short video of the loach destroying a hunk of sweetcorn .. they really love it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk3dwH-K ... ata_player

Ok I introduced 4 Clown Loach into my main tank last night and within half an hour the 2 dominant individuals were battling it out to see who was going to be boss of their new home..
A Polka Dot loach seemed quite interested in this display, and attempted to break it up.. Either that or he thought ...

Thanks, that's interesting. I know what you mean regarding behaviour like that of a dog!

Reason I asked Is I have 4 Lineolata in a river tank, and after their introduction they consistently attacked the resident Botia Striatas, they would swoop from a rock about 2 foot away & land on the Zebras ...

Hi

Congratulations , those are some seriously nice specimens. And what a great size.

Could you tell me, have you ever experienced any aggressiveness from these fish, toward other species or each other?

Specifically the territorial displays, biting & such ?

Thanks

Sorry to hear he's no better!

Personally I reckon you could be a bit more robust with your treatment..1 drop per 1 gallon is a very discreet amount I can't imagine it having much effect. I dosed meth blue at 5ml per 50 litres I believe , it won't harm your fish, it will kill your nitrifying ...

Thanks again for the info Diana, your experience is invaluable ..

The other option I have been researching is using 100% pure RO/DI water, remineralised specifically for the required conditions.
Obviously this is going to be more advanced but it potentially allows me to replicate natural river ...

Ok I think Im getting somewhere

the water thats in my tap has

Gh - 18'
Kh - 8'
Ph - 7.8

by cutting 50/50 with my RO water I get

Gh - 9'
Kh - 5'
Ph - 7.1

I think the Kh is fine at 5 & on overall hardness much more suited to my fish. Ph is as low as I'd like it to be there..

Thanks for the info ...

Hi there Kururin

Meth Blue solution has an indefinite shelf life if stored properly.

If it comes to it & you feel you have to use it, do make sure to research its effects first, as you would any medication..

Anyway, I hope it doesn't come to that - fingers crossed that your first treatment ...

So I have another question re: this water mixing lark

Obviously by cutting it in this method to reduce Gh & TDS I will also be reducing the Kh. This will (as I understand) affect the waters ability to resist Ph swings.

I think I should be aiming for a Kh above 3, but depending on what the Kh is ...

Hi there

It could be behavioural. These fish do like to be in schools of at least 5 as they form complex social structures. The largest usually asserts itself as the dominant one. Is it much larger than the others? Perhaps it was the alpha in its old tank & it's now missing the competition & needs ...

Hi there

This may or may not help but I am currently treating 4 Sewellia Lineolata in a quarantine tank for suspected velvet. Their behaviour, appearance & appetite are all excellent however 2 of my botia started showing symptoms of the parasite shortly after the introduction of the hillstreams ...

Thank you for the reply, lots of information & appreciated.

It's good to know I'm on the right track re: the TDS. That is my main concern rather than the Ph. I plumbed in an RO unit last week so I'm almost ready to start experimenting with water values.. I have large containers ready so I'm hoping ...

Hello all

I am a long time visitor to this site but this is my first post. So before anything I'd like to just comment on what a fantastic site this is & how it has proved invaluable to me on many occasions. So congratulations to everyone involved.

My question then, is really how to provide the ...