i've a 50g tank, starting out completely new.
i got this tank cuz i have unquenchable loach dreams!
i just fell in love with loaches and really want to set this tank up proper.
i hope to have you experts tell me how to do it right from the sand / or gravel up.
i'm sorry if i am too much a newbie for you guys but i figure go to the source to do it right!
what is the best ground stuff for loaches? sand or gravel or a mix?
does this depend on the type of loach?
i have read up about tank setup, i understand the basics...i think, but i am wondering if you can cycle a few weeks with danios and then add some longterm loaches or is that wrong for them?
are there any loachs that i can have during cycling?
do all loaches get along?
do some types need to be solitary?
do most like to be grouped?
what are your favorite loaches to maintain and why?
i do understand that i should have a basic knowledge of what i want before i ask these questions, but i sorta thought i could use the cycling time to really get to know the different types of loaches, and as well, when just researching on the interwebs, you really have no idea what is commonly available and what is not.
as you can see, i need all the help and advice i can get!
thank you all in advance!
complete loach newbie...please advise
Moderator: LoachForumModerators
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starsplitter7
- Posts: 5054
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:04 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
Hi there,
We all start at the beginning.
Here are few questions that will help the experts help you.
1.) Where do you live?
2.) Have you kept fish before?
3.) Have you gone to the species index?
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/species-index
4.) Which loaches are available where you are?
Most loaches like warmer water than Danios, so you depending on the species of loach you want to keep, you may need a different dither to help you cycle the tank. And you can do fishless cycling.
It would be much easier to help you if we knew which loaches you have available and like. Many loaches are similar and many are different. Many like friends, a few do not.
Best of luck.
We all start at the beginning.
Here are few questions that will help the experts help you.
1.) Where do you live?
2.) Have you kept fish before?
3.) Have you gone to the species index?
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/species-index
4.) Which loaches are available where you are?
Most loaches like warmer water than Danios, so you depending on the species of loach you want to keep, you may need a different dither to help you cycle the tank. And you can do fishless cycling.
It would be much easier to help you if we knew which loaches you have available and like. Many loaches are similar and many are different. Many like friends, a few do not.
Best of luck.
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loach4life
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:10 pm
1. i live in colorado springs
2. yes, but a long time ago...i had an 80 g salt water when my son was little back in the late eighties....i also had freshwater ten g's and such but not since the 90's.
3. i have gone to the species index and i truly honestly like them all. i'm not kidding. there just isn't a loach i do not like. (picture wise)
i have checked out species available to me here, pretty much, next to none.
i've been checking for at least a month at all the local pet stores but i'm pretty scared of buying from a chain.
mostly they have clowns and i have once seen a dojo loach (weather).
i have also set up a great local 'responsible' fish store owner, but mostly besides clowns i, er she, needs to order them. and what she can get depends on her supplier.
so you see, i can say i like this or that, but i'm not sure i'm going to be able to get it, and altho i do see that you can order fish thru the interwebs, i'm not sure of that either. like is that safe?
i'm not hoping to make this tank a community overnight.
i know this is a long process but i do want a little guidance in the right direction.
i hope that makes sense.
i also get that you are trying to get me to help myself, by learning on my own. i appriciate that, but sometimes it's easier to have people who have gone thru the process lead you in the right direction.
not like make my decisions for me, but be able to say, this species is fairly easy to get and that one...well that is harder to get.
this one is easier to maintain, that one you should be more advanced in knowledge for....
does that make sense?
2. yes, but a long time ago...i had an 80 g salt water when my son was little back in the late eighties....i also had freshwater ten g's and such but not since the 90's.
3. i have gone to the species index and i truly honestly like them all. i'm not kidding. there just isn't a loach i do not like. (picture wise)
i have checked out species available to me here, pretty much, next to none.
i've been checking for at least a month at all the local pet stores but i'm pretty scared of buying from a chain.
mostly they have clowns and i have once seen a dojo loach (weather).
i have also set up a great local 'responsible' fish store owner, but mostly besides clowns i, er she, needs to order them. and what she can get depends on her supplier.
so you see, i can say i like this or that, but i'm not sure i'm going to be able to get it, and altho i do see that you can order fish thru the interwebs, i'm not sure of that either. like is that safe?
i'm not hoping to make this tank a community overnight.
i know this is a long process but i do want a little guidance in the right direction.
i hope that makes sense.
i also get that you are trying to get me to help myself, by learning on my own. i appriciate that, but sometimes it's easier to have people who have gone thru the process lead you in the right direction.
not like make my decisions for me, but be able to say, this species is fairly easy to get and that one...well that is harder to get.
this one is easier to maintain, that one you should be more advanced in knowledge for....
does that make sense?
Starsplitter gave you a good start. Get a dark colored gravel 1/16 up to 1/4 inch dia mix that is smooth surfaced. Live plants are preferable, but plastic will suffice. Rock work that can be stacked to provide hide aways. Some good driftwood is good.
Completely cycle the tank by either fish or fishless method. I started with Clown Loaches years ago and recommend them for beginners. Google them and study them or your choice before buying any. If you feel that you cannot meet the requirements for Clowns, then it is best to keep something other than the loaches. There are many posts on this forum that hold valuable info, so read as many as you can. Good luck.
Completely cycle the tank by either fish or fishless method. I started with Clown Loaches years ago and recommend them for beginners. Google them and study them or your choice before buying any. If you feel that you cannot meet the requirements for Clowns, then it is best to keep something other than the loaches. There are many posts on this forum that hold valuable info, so read as many as you can. Good luck.
What dimensions are the tank? As that will have a bearing on the species. Assuming it's a standard shape tank then I would advice a large group of Botia striata. Your tank is too small for Clowns. In fact I would never recommend clowns for beginners, they require a lot of flow, search through the articles on the main site for information on the "River-tank", and you'll get some idea of the requirements for Clowns. Keeping them in a tank that's too small for them long-term will likely stunt their growth.
Most Botia species enjoy grubbing around in the substrate looking for tasty morsals, so I would advise a sand substrate - I believe pool filter sand is a viable option for those of you in the US.
One other thing to consider is your tap water parameters. If you can find out what they are, then folks here will be better able to advise what to keep in the tank, if your water is too hard and base (alkaline) then you may have to find a means to adjust it for example, Reverse Osmosis.
I never advise cycling with fish, it's unnecessary in this day and age, but that's a decision for yourself. If you are friendly with your lfs owner then why not ask her for some of her filtration media to seed your own once your tank is setup.
Dano's advise about rock work and driftwood is good advise, the more hiding places you give loaches the more you will see them. As for dithers I find Harlequin Rasboras work well, and as they are small fish you can keep larger groups of them, which look fantastic.
Most Botia species enjoy grubbing around in the substrate looking for tasty morsals, so I would advise a sand substrate - I believe pool filter sand is a viable option for those of you in the US.
One other thing to consider is your tap water parameters. If you can find out what they are, then folks here will be better able to advise what to keep in the tank, if your water is too hard and base (alkaline) then you may have to find a means to adjust it for example, Reverse Osmosis.
I never advise cycling with fish, it's unnecessary in this day and age, but that's a decision for yourself. If you are friendly with your lfs owner then why not ask her for some of her filtration media to seed your own once your tank is setup.
Dano's advise about rock work and driftwood is good advise, the more hiding places you give loaches the more you will see them. As for dithers I find Harlequin Rasboras work well, and as they are small fish you can keep larger groups of them, which look fantastic.
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Emma Turner
- Posts: 8901
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:07 pm
- Location: Peterborough, UK
- Contact:
Hi loach4life, welcome to Loaches Online. 
This article may be of help: http://www.loaches.com/articles/an-intr ... ping-botia
Whilst loach4life is clearly not a beginner (having kept saltwater and freshwater tanks in the past), I have to disagree with Dano who mentioned that clown loaches are a good choice for beginners. This is most definitely not the case. They are also not suited to the average sized tank, and it is frustrating how many stores stock them and sell them for unsuitable aquaria.
loach4life, what are the dimensions of your proposed tank? Water parameters would be helpful too, as Bully has pointed out.
Emma
This article may be of help: http://www.loaches.com/articles/an-intr ... ping-botia
Whilst loach4life is clearly not a beginner (having kept saltwater and freshwater tanks in the past), I have to disagree with Dano who mentioned that clown loaches are a good choice for beginners. This is most definitely not the case. They are also not suited to the average sized tank, and it is frustrating how many stores stock them and sell them for unsuitable aquaria.
loach4life, what are the dimensions of your proposed tank? Water parameters would be helpful too, as Bully has pointed out.
Emma
East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
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helen nightingale
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:23 am
- Location: London, UK
i also agree that clowns would not be good beginners fish, as they have such specialised needs, and can be so prone to getting whitespot/ick.
i sed to have gravel in my loach tanks, now i have sand. the fish seem to prefer the sand, and they ear far more snails now than they ever did on gravel. another reason i like the sand is, it seems to be more inert thn the gravel. i never could get the pH down in any gravel tanks. in general, the commost loach species like slightly acidic water, so this was an important thing for me.
rockwork and wood is essential to give the loaches places to hide, but i am wary of rock, as it might not be inert. bogwood is usefull as it can help keep the water acid, rock tends to harden it instead - if you get the wrong sort of rock.
botia striata seem to be relatively easy to find. your supplier may be able to get them in for you. they can be shy, so lots of hiding places are important. and i think you should have at least 6. i have noticed differences in behaviour as i have gradualy increased my shoal size. they are definately bolder the more you have.
like all loaches, botia striata like clean water and a mature tank, so it should work well if you do a fishless cycle, and then add some rasboras. tough plants like java fern attatched to the bogwood would be good to get established too. rasboras appreciate plants like cryptocrynes (i cant spell that, sorry!) get some plants estblished, and add some more rasboras, and over time, add some botia striata.
for the rasboras, harlequins are good, and so are the espei. all the trigonostigma species should shoal OK together, so you could have a couple of different species.
that would be my suggestion of what to do. also, make sure your filter/pump is rated bigger than the size of your tank, to get a good water flow and to help keep the water nice and clean.
i am very luck as i can get my loaches from Emma, and she had masses of choice, but some countries rarely see many species because of import restrictions. there would be no point somebody reccomending a beautifull species that is very rarely or impossible to get.
there is somebody in the US that ships fish, and he has a good reputation on here. i think his name is Frank, i always forget. i am sure someone else will have a better memory than me and can give you more details.
i sed to have gravel in my loach tanks, now i have sand. the fish seem to prefer the sand, and they ear far more snails now than they ever did on gravel. another reason i like the sand is, it seems to be more inert thn the gravel. i never could get the pH down in any gravel tanks. in general, the commost loach species like slightly acidic water, so this was an important thing for me.
rockwork and wood is essential to give the loaches places to hide, but i am wary of rock, as it might not be inert. bogwood is usefull as it can help keep the water acid, rock tends to harden it instead - if you get the wrong sort of rock.
botia striata seem to be relatively easy to find. your supplier may be able to get them in for you. they can be shy, so lots of hiding places are important. and i think you should have at least 6. i have noticed differences in behaviour as i have gradualy increased my shoal size. they are definately bolder the more you have.
like all loaches, botia striata like clean water and a mature tank, so it should work well if you do a fishless cycle, and then add some rasboras. tough plants like java fern attatched to the bogwood would be good to get established too. rasboras appreciate plants like cryptocrynes (i cant spell that, sorry!) get some plants estblished, and add some more rasboras, and over time, add some botia striata.
for the rasboras, harlequins are good, and so are the espei. all the trigonostigma species should shoal OK together, so you could have a couple of different species.
that would be my suggestion of what to do. also, make sure your filter/pump is rated bigger than the size of your tank, to get a good water flow and to help keep the water nice and clean.
dont worry, here we very often ask lots of questions before people give advice. it can be easy to give bad advice when you dont know the whole story. some people have been around here a long time, so people get to know about their setups, so thats why all these questions are not asked to everybody all of the time.i also get that you are trying to get me to help myself, by learning on my own.
i am very luck as i can get my loaches from Emma, and she had masses of choice, but some countries rarely see many species because of import restrictions. there would be no point somebody reccomending a beautifull species that is very rarely or impossible to get.
there is somebody in the US that ships fish, and he has a good reputation on here. i think his name is Frank, i always forget. i am sure someone else will have a better memory than me and can give you more details.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT ... 1&index=11 spam spam spam
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loach4life
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:10 pm
oooo thank you!!!!
all the replies are very helpful and i appriciate your advice very much!
"emma" thank you for the nice welcome!
i am in the process of setting up the 50g and cycling it. (fishless)
thank you so much "bully" for the advice of asking my 'lsf' (i assume this means supplier) for "filtration media to seed your own once your tank is setup."
so simple yet so obviously overlooked. thank you!
i am doing a 40% gravel/smooth rock and 60% sand mix.
the tank dimentions are 3' x 1.5' x 2'(high) basically...add or subtact an inch here or there...it'a a bowfront. so the dimentions are kinda hard to be exact.
i do know i cannot put too much in this tank, but i felt it a good starter size, for me.
now i have to clarify, just because clown loaches are easy to acquire here, i really did not want to maintain them.
i was thinking more along the lines of dojo loaches, hillstream (butterfly), and the yoyo.
i was kinda going for the cooler - coolish type loaches.
i plan to provide much hiding space.
i already have a largish stump with art plants and have wanted to add mostly wood and live plants to create a more homey environment for them.
java ferns! thank you "helen nightingale"!
this is seriously set up just for loaches (and mabye a few loach friends if space permits, tho i do not think it will) and i'm truly honest when i say i want to create the best environment for them.
which is why i came here and joined. you all seem very serious and determined and i appriciate all your help and advice.
i'm sorry if i was so vague before.
my water parameters....yeah. um. i have no idea. stupid huh?
*hides face from the massive community groans*
a) i've not tested my tap water...tho i guess i could...
b) i'm cycling so i thought all that would change over the next few weeks...
*is worried you all think i'm a fool now*
:/
whoops *eta*
i have one back hanging filter for 30 - 60 g and plan to add another. just haven't gotten it yet. so yes, two filters, good from 60 - 120 g.
"emma" thank you for the nice welcome!
i am in the process of setting up the 50g and cycling it. (fishless)
thank you so much "bully" for the advice of asking my 'lsf' (i assume this means supplier) for "filtration media to seed your own once your tank is setup."
so simple yet so obviously overlooked. thank you!
i am doing a 40% gravel/smooth rock and 60% sand mix.
the tank dimentions are 3' x 1.5' x 2'(high) basically...add or subtact an inch here or there...it'a a bowfront. so the dimentions are kinda hard to be exact.
i do know i cannot put too much in this tank, but i felt it a good starter size, for me.
now i have to clarify, just because clown loaches are easy to acquire here, i really did not want to maintain them.
i was thinking more along the lines of dojo loaches, hillstream (butterfly), and the yoyo.
i was kinda going for the cooler - coolish type loaches.
i plan to provide much hiding space.
i already have a largish stump with art plants and have wanted to add mostly wood and live plants to create a more homey environment for them.
java ferns! thank you "helen nightingale"!
this is seriously set up just for loaches (and mabye a few loach friends if space permits, tho i do not think it will) and i'm truly honest when i say i want to create the best environment for them.
which is why i came here and joined. you all seem very serious and determined and i appriciate all your help and advice.
i'm sorry if i was so vague before.
my water parameters....yeah. um. i have no idea. stupid huh?
*hides face from the massive community groans*
a) i've not tested my tap water...tho i guess i could...
b) i'm cycling so i thought all that would change over the next few weeks...
*is worried you all think i'm a fool now*
:/
whoops *eta*
i have one back hanging filter for 30 - 60 g and plan to add another. just haven't gotten it yet. so yes, two filters, good from 60 - 120 g.
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starsplitter7
- Posts: 5054
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:04 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
It sounds like you are off to a good start.
Chances are you can take your water to your LFS (Local Fish Store) and have them test your water. Or you can buy a kit.
I adore my Dojos, but I think your tank may be to small in the long run.
I think Bully's idea of a group of B. striata is a great idea. They stay pretty small and have fun temperament. I have 4. Real characters. And they are pretty. Mine come out during the day too. Or maybe some sids. Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki I also like the Queen (B. dario) and the Kubotai loaches. All of these like to be in groups of 5 or more.
For many of the loaches, you will need to provide dithers. These are active, schooling fish that will let your loaches know, the coast is clear and it is safe to come out. A group of schooling rasboras (I have harlequins) or tetras (My Rummynoses are great) can work well. I would also consider a small algae eater like a Bushy Nose Pleco or a rubberlip (remember to feed them -- they need more food than the algae growing in the tank). I have both with my loaches. Both should stay under 6".
Franks Aquarium is a good, reputable fish supplier you an use through the Internet. I haven't used it personally, but you'll see glowing reports on this site from people who have,
http://www.franksaquarium.com/brookstreamloaches.htm
There's a "pretend Dojo" that looks like a Dojo, but like tropical water and stays smaller. I have two, but they don't act much like Dojos in my opinion.
Lepidocephalus guntea
Many loaches need to be in mature tanks that have been set up a while. I would add the dithers first.
I am a relative newbie. I started 4 years ago, made every mistake (still making mistakes), but I know some of the answers people need because I read a lot of posts.
Hope you'll post pictures as you get your tank established.
Chances are you can take your water to your LFS (Local Fish Store) and have them test your water. Or you can buy a kit.
I adore my Dojos, but I think your tank may be to small in the long run.
I think Bully's idea of a group of B. striata is a great idea. They stay pretty small and have fun temperament. I have 4. Real characters. And they are pretty. Mine come out during the day too. Or maybe some sids. Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki I also like the Queen (B. dario) and the Kubotai loaches. All of these like to be in groups of 5 or more.
For many of the loaches, you will need to provide dithers. These are active, schooling fish that will let your loaches know, the coast is clear and it is safe to come out. A group of schooling rasboras (I have harlequins) or tetras (My Rummynoses are great) can work well. I would also consider a small algae eater like a Bushy Nose Pleco or a rubberlip (remember to feed them -- they need more food than the algae growing in the tank). I have both with my loaches. Both should stay under 6".
Franks Aquarium is a good, reputable fish supplier you an use through the Internet. I haven't used it personally, but you'll see glowing reports on this site from people who have,
http://www.franksaquarium.com/brookstreamloaches.htm
There's a "pretend Dojo" that looks like a Dojo, but like tropical water and stays smaller. I have two, but they don't act much like Dojos in my opinion.
Lepidocephalus guntea
Many loaches need to be in mature tanks that have been set up a while. I would add the dithers first.
I am a relative newbie. I started 4 years ago, made every mistake (still making mistakes), but I know some of the answers people need because I read a lot of posts.
Hope you'll post pictures as you get your tank established.
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helen nightingale
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:23 am
- Location: London, UK
i think your tank is too small for yoyos. i have 2 mature adults, and they are big, bulky fish. they are very active and fast swimmers. my others are still growing lengthways, but are not bulking up so much yet. i must have had these 3-4 years now.
the striata would be a better size for your tank, as would the sids that Starsplitter suggested.
if you want to go down the hillstream route, and seriously want to do things for the best for your fish, have you read the articles about hillstreams and about martin's manifold design, to create sufficient current for them?
the striata would be a better size for your tank, as would the sids that Starsplitter suggested.
if you want to go down the hillstream route, and seriously want to do things for the best for your fish, have you read the articles about hillstreams and about martin's manifold design, to create sufficient current for them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT ... 1&index=11 spam spam spam
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greenbaron
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:03 am
starsplitter7, thanks for the link for Franks. Interesting site. I started an order just to see what shipping charges would be and the only option available was "Pickup at Sellers Location". Don't know, maybe he's not shipping right now...
Years ago striata was considered a rarity. I found one and didn't know what it was when I bought it, but it did really well in the tank and got along great with the clowns. I always looked for them whenever I was in a store, but never saw another again... even tried ordering some from the local store (all this was quite awhile ago), they got me tiger loaches instead! Close (not really!) but no cigar. I did not take them, as they were too aggressive for the clowns. So, nice to know you can find zebras if nowhere else, from Franks...
Years ago striata was considered a rarity. I found one and didn't know what it was when I bought it, but it did really well in the tank and got along great with the clowns. I always looked for them whenever I was in a store, but never saw another again... even tried ordering some from the local store (all this was quite awhile ago), they got me tiger loaches instead! Close (not really!) but no cigar. I did not take them, as they were too aggressive for the clowns. So, nice to know you can find zebras if nowhere else, from Franks...
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starsplitter7
- Posts: 5054
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:04 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
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loach4life
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:10 pm
see, this is why i joined here, for this kind of help!
thank you!
i do see now that i'm not going to be able to have the tank i desire with the tank i have. tho the tank i have is as big as i want to go at this time...
so new loach dreams in the making!
i know i've read so many threads now that these forums are mostly a blur, but someone posted as their signature "if i had a million dollars, i'd buy a really big loach tank".
that made my day. cuz that is how i feel. there is no big enough!
anyhoo...so working with what i have, starsplitter7 thank you so much for your advice and recommends!
i LOVE the sids and the queens and kubotai! tho i cannot have them all i am now at a more reasonable jumping off point.
now, onto dithers....
i'm really sorry but i have to be honest.
i'm not drawn to rasboras. nor tetras....
maybe i just haven't had opportunity enough with them to learn to enjoy them, but i believe i basically am not drawn to the 'skeleton'-y type fish. does that make sense.
to me they seem kinda see-thru-ee and i dunno...
i know i'm being silly but are there other fish i can use as dithers for loaches?
i've got a lot of time to decide this, as i still need to get adequate bogwood and such but i want to be able to plan ahead.
plan well but still get a community i will really be excited about.
i'm sorry if i offeneded anyone....
thank you!
i do see now that i'm not going to be able to have the tank i desire with the tank i have. tho the tank i have is as big as i want to go at this time...
so new loach dreams in the making!
i know i've read so many threads now that these forums are mostly a blur, but someone posted as their signature "if i had a million dollars, i'd buy a really big loach tank".
that made my day. cuz that is how i feel. there is no big enough!
anyhoo...so working with what i have, starsplitter7 thank you so much for your advice and recommends!
i LOVE the sids and the queens and kubotai! tho i cannot have them all i am now at a more reasonable jumping off point.
now, onto dithers....
i'm really sorry but i have to be honest.
i'm not drawn to rasboras. nor tetras....
maybe i just haven't had opportunity enough with them to learn to enjoy them, but i believe i basically am not drawn to the 'skeleton'-y type fish. does that make sense.
to me they seem kinda see-thru-ee and i dunno...
i know i'm being silly but are there other fish i can use as dithers for loaches?
i've got a lot of time to decide this, as i still need to get adequate bogwood and such but i want to be able to plan ahead.
plan well but still get a community i will really be excited about.
i'm sorry if i offeneded anyone....
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starsplitter7
- Posts: 5054
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:04 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
Why would you have offended anyone?
I keep dithers for my fish. I have no great interest in them myself. I am a loach, catfish and oddball (bichir, elephant nose, baby whale, eels, halfbeak, gobies, African Butterflies) person myself. My dithers are like my pet's pet.
But now that my Harlequins have grown up, they look nice, and Rummynoses really are very helpful. They are my canaries in the mineshaft. When the red on their foreheads fade, I know there's something wrong with my water quality. I find this out before my Rummynoses die (Bonus) and before my loaches are affected.
Check out Emperor Tetras if you want a really pretty dither. Careful though. Some people have had aggressive fish. I think I have 3 boys and one girl (or one juvenile boy), and I have no issues. This is a link to pictures of mine and in the background you can see other dithers of mine.
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... eror+tetra
I keep dithers for my fish. I have no great interest in them myself. I am a loach, catfish and oddball (bichir, elephant nose, baby whale, eels, halfbeak, gobies, African Butterflies) person myself. My dithers are like my pet's pet.
But now that my Harlequins have grown up, they look nice, and Rummynoses really are very helpful. They are my canaries in the mineshaft. When the red on their foreheads fade, I know there's something wrong with my water quality. I find this out before my Rummynoses die (Bonus) and before my loaches are affected.
Check out Emperor Tetras if you want a really pretty dither. Careful though. Some people have had aggressive fish. I think I have 3 boys and one girl (or one juvenile boy), and I have no issues. This is a link to pictures of mine and in the background you can see other dithers of mine.
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... eror+tetra
Frank does not ship in the dead of Summer. The shipping condition are much too hot and the fish will stress or die. I do pickup from him as I only live a few miles away. His fish are stellar specimens. You may have to wait until September when it cools down a bit. Frank is all about quality and getting fish in a good condition to the buyer.greenbaron wrote:starsplitter7, thanks for the link for Franks. Interesting site. I started an order just to see what shipping charges would be and the only option available was "Pickup at Sellers Location". Don't know, maybe he's not shipping right now...
Years ago striata was considered a rarity. I found one and didn't know what it was when I bought it, but it did really well in the tank and got along great with the clowns. I always looked for them whenever I was in a store, but never saw another again... even tried ordering some from the local store (all this was quite awhile ago), they got me tiger loaches instead! Close (not really!) but no cigar. I did not take them, as they were too aggressive for the clowns. So, nice to know you can find zebras if nowhere else, from Franks...
Shoot him an email as ask about the shipping. He works during the day so he may not reply until later at night, but he will get back to you, ASAP.
"For one to fly you need only take the reins." Author Unknown
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