Can anyone in Central Ca help me please?

[fain]

Once I have my 60 gal. tank set up in the coming months, I'm going to need to find a safe supplier of Histrionica loaches. I have four juveniles right now and would like to add either a pair or a trio of young loaches to keep them company. My problem is that the place I bought my four isn't exactly...as well taken care of as I should like. I often see poorly stocked tanks and fish with ich or other nasties. I know the owner and can have him order some for me, if it's my last option, but I would like to see if there are other suppliers first.

Any suggestions?

P.S. I would like it if I could go to the petshop and say, "I'm looking for Histrionica loaches!" and not receive a blank stare, or a ,"What's their common name?" It's amazing how often different types of loaches share common names...

[Diana]

I have been impressed by Capital Aquarium in Sacramento. I am not sure they know Loaches, but they are the best store in that area. On the other side of the freeway is a little hole-in-the-wall aquarium store, O Street Aquarium. The fish are well cared for, and they carry unusual fish.
http://www.capitolaquarium.net/
http://www.ostaquarium.com/

In Dublin is a store where one of the employees is very interested in Loaches. The store is Aquarium Concepts.
My problem with them is that the nitrate in their water is very high. I think they fight it by adding salt. It takes a month of acclimating to get the fish ready for my main tanks. This is a typical quarantine period, anyway, but I sure would think it better that they deal with the nitrate some other way.
http://www.aquariumconceptsinc.com/

The other place that is worth some phone calls, and a visit if you are near is in Campbell. Dolphin Pet village. They have a really big selection of fish, I often see Loaches, and many different or less common species of Cories, Rainbow fish and many more.
http://www.dolphinpetvillage.com/

Look for a coupon at the Dolphin web site. It is not always there.

[fain]

That is a wide variety of locations, thank you!
Right now, I'm nearest Dolphin Pet Village. Here's hoping my fiance doesn't mind a little fish visit~
I may hit Aquarium Concepts in a few days, but that nitrate problem has me nervous...They are probably worth a look, but they won't be first on my list.

I keep hearing good things about Capitol Aquarium, so road trip with my dad may be in order. O St. Aquarium? Sounds interesting. *checks gallery* I see discus! My dad is definitely gonna want to go there too!

Once again, lovely selection of stores, thank you Diana!

[djoneser]

I'll add in my 2c.

Capitol Aquarium used to be much better, but it is still a large store with decent stock, but not that many loaches.

A new store opened in Sacramento recently, owned by the same people that run O St aquarium, Aqua Workz
(http://www.aquaworkzaquarium.com). They have a showroom nearly as large as capitol, but seems much cleaner due to being so new. No matter what you do, I would recommend that you call ahead if you have specific requests..

[fain]

Shame that Capitol Aquarium doesn't stock many loaches. Dolphin Pet Village didn't have much loach variety either. I saw many Clowns (a tank with at least twenty! So cute!), but the only other types I saw were a single pair of young Yoyos. *sad sigh*

On a good note, my fiance is now talking about owning a saltwater tank once we have our own place.


It will be a while before I can make it over to Sacramento, but calling ahead of time won't be a problem.