When Opportunity Knocks.....
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When Opportunity Knocks.....
.....answer the door!
In my case it's been knocking not once, not twice, but thrice.
The first knock came shortly before the Black Friday sales: during my pre-sale local pet store scouting, in a tank of well-fed striped kuhlis that absolutely looked worth buying, were also a couple of neon kuhlis! The only other pet store I have ever seen carry them is not exactly convenient to go to, so getting these to increase variety was a must.
Plus they have a color very similar to dourada catfish/Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, a fish I've always admired the color of yet don't even have available to me, nevermind the facilities to house. Some neon kuhlis ought to scratch that itch rather well.
The next knock came immediately afterwards, as I headed to the store to return a few kuhlis that failed to survive the 5 day warranty. I then happened to notice some surprisingly expensive weather loaches marketed as 24K weather loaches....and seeing them spurred off one hell of a chain reaction of thought!
1) The initial thought was that I adored their colors - they are more than nice-looking enough to justify their costs in my opinion.
I could not get a good picture of the fish at the store, so here is a link to a video (note that I do not use Facebook, I just found this) by Aqualogy LTD on November 3.
https://www.facebook.com/AqualogyLtd/
2) The next thought was that I had the door opened right back up to get some for my assorted-loach tank like I was planning 1-2 years ago. With temperatures in said tank ranging between 19-22C instead of more tropical temperatures, and the rest of the fish thriving in said cooler water, the temperature incompatibility issue goes straight out the window. And my additional concern about weather loaches being excessively prone to bacterial infections is likely alleviated too, because a discussion with the manager about said concern revealed that they are also concerned about it, specifically seeking fish in good health to order.
3) The thought after that was that I have never seen 24K weather loaches before. When I asked the manager about that, he said they were very rare, that he has never seen them before and cannot find anything about them outside his supplier.
I think this is about right. I found nothing about them either aside from Aqualogy (which may in fact be my pet store's supplier!)
4) The final thought was that they were at a larger than ideal purchase size, both in terms of time having the fish and fitting in a quarantine tank. What the manager told me is that he is specifically looking for some smaller ones (that will cost less as well), so it's a win all around.
I think a trio of these would be a good fit for the 473 liter given a dozen small/medium Botia and 40-60 kuhlis sharing the bottom, with them complimenting both the Botia and kuhlis nicely (and vice versa).
And for even better complimenting, having one of the three weather loaches as a 24K would literally perfectly complement the 2 other available color morphs of brown wild type and golden. It has brown spots like the wild type but also golden color like the golden variety - so I get essentially a crossbreed.
The final knock was the idea that this topic could be formatted Martin Thoene-style. As he's had multiple endeavors well-formatted in this way, and such a format has since become quintessential to Loaches Online, I aimed for it.
So I'm happy to say, when these opportunities knocked, I could open the door nice and wide.
In my case it's been knocking not once, not twice, but thrice.
The first knock came shortly before the Black Friday sales: during my pre-sale local pet store scouting, in a tank of well-fed striped kuhlis that absolutely looked worth buying, were also a couple of neon kuhlis! The only other pet store I have ever seen carry them is not exactly convenient to go to, so getting these to increase variety was a must.
Plus they have a color very similar to dourada catfish/Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, a fish I've always admired the color of yet don't even have available to me, nevermind the facilities to house. Some neon kuhlis ought to scratch that itch rather well.
The next knock came immediately afterwards, as I headed to the store to return a few kuhlis that failed to survive the 5 day warranty. I then happened to notice some surprisingly expensive weather loaches marketed as 24K weather loaches....and seeing them spurred off one hell of a chain reaction of thought!
1) The initial thought was that I adored their colors - they are more than nice-looking enough to justify their costs in my opinion.
I could not get a good picture of the fish at the store, so here is a link to a video (note that I do not use Facebook, I just found this) by Aqualogy LTD on November 3.
https://www.facebook.com/AqualogyLtd/
2) The next thought was that I had the door opened right back up to get some for my assorted-loach tank like I was planning 1-2 years ago. With temperatures in said tank ranging between 19-22C instead of more tropical temperatures, and the rest of the fish thriving in said cooler water, the temperature incompatibility issue goes straight out the window. And my additional concern about weather loaches being excessively prone to bacterial infections is likely alleviated too, because a discussion with the manager about said concern revealed that they are also concerned about it, specifically seeking fish in good health to order.
3) The thought after that was that I have never seen 24K weather loaches before. When I asked the manager about that, he said they were very rare, that he has never seen them before and cannot find anything about them outside his supplier.
I think this is about right. I found nothing about them either aside from Aqualogy (which may in fact be my pet store's supplier!)
4) The final thought was that they were at a larger than ideal purchase size, both in terms of time having the fish and fitting in a quarantine tank. What the manager told me is that he is specifically looking for some smaller ones (that will cost less as well), so it's a win all around.
I think a trio of these would be a good fit for the 473 liter given a dozen small/medium Botia and 40-60 kuhlis sharing the bottom, with them complimenting both the Botia and kuhlis nicely (and vice versa).
And for even better complimenting, having one of the three weather loaches as a 24K would literally perfectly complement the 2 other available color morphs of brown wild type and golden. It has brown spots like the wild type but also golden color like the golden variety - so I get essentially a crossbreed.
The final knock was the idea that this topic could be formatted Martin Thoene-style. As he's had multiple endeavors well-formatted in this way, and such a format has since become quintessential to Loaches Online, I aimed for it.
So I'm happy to say, when these opportunities knocked, I could open the door nice and wide.
473 liter - pictus catfish, smallscale archerfish
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
What a fun story! I'm curious to see if you can find these rare fish and how they'll fit in with your existing loach community. Wordle Unlimited
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Any updates on this opportunity? Inquiring minds want to know!
"If no one makes you do it, it counts a fun" --Hobbes the Tiger
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
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- Posts: 127
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:07 am
- Location: Loachaholica
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Thank you both for checking back!
Yes, the door has been opened wide open for this opportunity and the weather loaches+single neon kuhli loach survivor are fitting in with the Burmese loaches, black kuhli loaches, and striped kuhli loaches incredibly well. I even made some videos about them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsyKm96-RM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0XSf7l5TXc
I don't know which I like more. All 3 of the weather loaches are gorgeous, playful fish (with the 24k golden one having the Pseudoplatystoma corruscans Easter egg as the video explains , while the neon kuhli loach has the dourada catfish Easter egg.
Yes, the door has been opened wide open for this opportunity and the weather loaches+single neon kuhli loach survivor are fitting in with the Burmese loaches, black kuhli loaches, and striped kuhli loaches incredibly well. I even made some videos about them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsyKm96-RM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0XSf7l5TXc
I don't know which I like more. All 3 of the weather loaches are gorgeous, playful fish (with the 24k golden one having the Pseudoplatystoma corruscans Easter egg as the video explains , while the neon kuhli loach has the dourada catfish Easter egg.
473 liter - pictus catfish, smallscale archerfish
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Nice setup you've got running with all of those loaches! Makes my little 30 long feel cramped. Keep up the good work and videos!
"If no one makes you do it, it counts a fun" --Hobbes the Tiger
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
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- Posts: 127
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:07 am
- Location: Loachaholica
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Thank you! I most definitely will: in fact there is a Burmese loach story video coming soon, perhaps even later today.
473 liter - pictus catfish, smallscale archerfish
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
I especially like your Burmese loaches. I used to be able to get them for a few dollars each (had a small shoal in my Loach Lounge tank), but now they are $20 or more each, so I don't have any.
"If no one makes you do it, it counts a fun" --Hobbes the Tiger
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
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- Posts: 127
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:07 am
- Location: Loachaholica
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Are those by any chance Burmese loaches in your avatar? I like 'em!
473 liter - pictus catfish, smallscale archerfish
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
110 liter - green neon+cardinal tetras
473 liter - roseline sharks, striped kuhli+black kuhli+neon kuhli loaches, Burmese loaches, weather loaches
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
They are indeed. I took that picture many years ago. I had to give that group up when I moved over a decade ago, but they were a lot of fun.
"If no one makes you do it, it counts a fun" --Hobbes the Tiger
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
"No trees were harmed in the writing of this message, however, several electrons were GREATLY inconvenienced." --Anonymous
Re: When Opportunity Knocks.....
Most games require players to think critically and come up with strategies to solve complex puzzles or challenges. This constant mental exercise can enhance cognitive abilities in real-life situations.
Snake game
Snake game
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