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New fish pic
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:13 pm
by mikev
These guys DO look into your eyes.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:04 am
by TammyLiz
Stop it. You're making me want some of them.

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:24 am
by angelfish83
What is it? Its so cool
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:33 am
by shari2
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:19 am
by Mad Duff
Very nice Mike, he looks very inquisitive

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:30 am
by Emma Turner
Lovely! These are great little loaches.
Emma
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:33 am
by Graeme Robson
One of my all time favorites. Lovely!
Have you seen my
Old fella? Over 6 yrs old before he passed away.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:05 pm
by mikev
Thanks All,
Graeme Robson wrote:One of my all time favorites. Lovely!
It is The Favorite species for me right now....
And I'm thinking now this should be The Beginners' loach.
Relatively hardy, small size, almost no hiding, no acclimation issues, no aggression, no special needs, interesting behavior: is there another loach like this?
Have you seen my Old fella? Over 6 yrs old before he passed away.
Wanna see.
---
BTW, Graeme: how many do you/did you keep? I have six, but still have a feeling that they are lonely.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:31 pm
by Mad Duff
I was tempted to purchase some Zipper Loaches the last time I was down at Emma's but I didn't have the space for them but this time I will have the space if Emma has any in and after your photos I think I may well get a few for myself

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:56 pm
by mikev
It is not just how they look, it is really how they behave.
They are great fun to watch ---constantly doing something --- and even more so to feed. Bloodworms dissappear into the mouth, reappear from the gills, dissappear, reappear,.... And they interract with other species in funny ways.
For now, they are in the 125g with the rainbows and so far three yoyo's (the tank still looks quite empty).
Ultimately, the plan is to expel them to a smaller tank, with more compatible playmates. S.Poculi's (non-territorial small schistura), Kuhli. If I can find them, another Acanthocobitis or Aborichthys species should work fine too.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:08 pm
by Graeme Robson
Outgoing and active till the day he died! If kept you know why!
I only had the privilege of keeping 3.

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:25 pm
by mikev
Thanks, Graeme,
Real nice fish. Fatter than any here (but the way they are eating they'll catch up).
How large was it? (Four of mine are around 2"-2.5", and a couple of babies around 1.25"... Unsure if the large ones are full-grown or not.)
I think I'm getting two more (asked Frank to reserve). They seem to need social life much more than other species. Right now, the knot broke, but they go around the tank in pairs.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:33 pm
by Graeme Robson
Depends on TL or SL. But mine where 9cm TL. These chaps are total pigs as you know. First to all and last to bed! Keep them with active peaceful occupants!
They hold no intention of harm, just curiosity.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:05 pm
by mikev
One day ago, I thought that yoyo's were total pigs.
A few minutes ago, Zippers managed to finish a cube of bloodworms before yoyo's swam from the other end of the tank.
They are quite smart too.... Here is a success reptile cave story:
Yoyo's could not figure what to do with the cave for a couple of days (gosh, they are really dumb....), Zippers found it instantly:
Of course, now the Zippers are kicked out and the Yoyo's are in. Size matters.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:14 pm
by mikev
This is the new toy they found:
Jumping into the filter outtake kicks them at least to the middle of the tank....pretty good current. This is what they are doing now. Nuts.