Easiest loaches to find

[Sawyer]

I don't have a LFS so I wanted to know which loaches I can expect to find at Walmart, Petsmart, Petco and other big chain pet stores. I know clowns will be easy to find, but will dojos, kuhlis, yoyos, sids, etc?

[Donna]

Good luck with kuhlis. PetSmart says they "always" have an all-black phase, but there weren't any when I went on Wednesday. Not even a label on a tank.

[plaalye]

My petsmart regularly has clowns & Kubotai, occasionally has "black khulis". Only tiny clowns at petco. i have seen skunks at my local walmart,unfortunately. It seems that the selection depends on the locale.

[starsplitter7]

They often have Kuhlies at PetSmart, even when they say they don't because htey are under the rgavel. I have them search by hand. I have also gotten two types of "eel Loach" that Petsmart was selling as Oblanga. Just be careful that you don't get sick animals. I got a bunch of Oblangas at walmart where they were selling them in Betta bowls. Augh!

[NancyD]

Where do you live? I got nice histrionicas here http://www.invertzfactory.com/stocklist.htm They have other loaches too. Shipping is only $15, my first mail order fish, a very nice experience.

I've heard good things about Franks too http://www.franksaquarium.com/

I got striatas at Petsmart but they were an accidental shipment. Kubotai sometimes, dojos but not in my state. I've heard in some areas they have a different order list. Talk to the person that orders, they may be able to get different fish. One told me she doesn't order kuhlis often because they hide.

[HSTurning]

petco near me has had yoyos, striatas, clowns, dojos often. mixed tigers and hillies once in a while.
petsmart has yoyos (taged as kubs often), kubs ($10 each 15 min north of me and the store 15 min south of me is $15) koolies black and std, and clowns.

I have been to atleast 6 of each store near me and they all carry the standard mix. I have become freinds with a LFS owner and I get to see what is on the list and when ever something out of the norm shows up he calls me to see if I want some.

[Sawyer]

Thanks for your replies

Where do you live?

FL

Thanks for the ordering sites.

How much are loaches at petsmart/petco/walmart? I recently read that yoyos can be like $80 for 4, is that true?

[BotiaMaximus]

Hi Sawyer,

What part of Florida are you in? This state is sort of a dead zone for good freshwater fish stores - loaches in particular.

I have to do a lot of calling and driving to get any results and am considering ordering from Frank's when I set up my next tank.

I have found yoyo's fairly often though and they are usually around $8-10 each.

I have 2 Petsmarts near me - 1 is awful and I wouldn't trust any fish from their tanks - the other is pretty good and the girl who runs the fish dept. is fairly knowledgeable and asks questions about your tank and what fish you have and such to try and steer people away from disasters.