More Sidthimunki pics

[Graeme McKellar]

Great photos Mad Duff !! Thanks for sharing them with us. I am currently setting up a 30 x 15 x18 tank that will have 6 khulis and as many Sid"s as possible and would like some help in working out how many I can put in this size tank. I have just got a Eheim Pro 2 2026 and will be adding a large HOB this week which should give 800 lph flow with media. My LFS has Sid's that are under 25mm available for $14-50 (Aussie Dollars). I am using 2 Dwarf Gouramis borrowed from my daughter to cycle the filters (also using Cycle) but they will go back to her just before I add my Sid's. Once the tank is cycled how long should I wait before I add the Sid's. I will not be adding the Khulis for 2Months or so as I have read on this site they should only put into a mature tank - is this also the case for Sid's or can they go into the tank earlier. This will only be a temporary home for 6 months or so till I set up a 60 x 24 x 24 tank in my lounge-room after I finish some minor renovations and painting in this room. I would like any feedback from anyone if I am on the right track or should I go back to the "drawing-board" ..... Graeme.

[JWhipple]

My LFS has a shipment of 25 of them coming in this week... They are going to be asking $9 US each for them... Seeing how much they are worth to other people though had made me realize that $9 each is not a bad deal - AT ALL!

Then again, for $9 I just bought a 6 inch clown loach at Petsmart - yes that's right SIX INCH... i've never seen a clown loach that large before in person - let alone one at a pet store - a big corporate one for that matter - and forget about at that price!!!

Maybe I'm just incredibly lucky!

[Mad Duff]

Hi Graeme

If Im right that tank will be around 29 gallons (imperial) so I would say that with your level of filtration you could house at least 10 or 15 sid's of that size in there, a couple of water changes a week certainly wouldnt hurt either.

As for how long before putting them in the tank I dont know really, it has been a long time since I started a tank from scratch because I use water, gravel and filter media from my other tanks to clone a new tank thus cutting out the need to cycle. My first 10 Sid's went in to the tank after it had been running for around 8 months, but that was mainly down to the fact that I couldnt afford to pay the high prices that some shops were asking.

[Mad Duff]

My LFS has a shipment of 25 of them coming in this week... They are going to be asking $9 US each for them... Seeing how much they are worth to other people though had made me realize that $9 each is not a bad deal - AT ALL!

Then again, for $9 I just bought a 6 inch clown loach at Petsmart - yes that's right SIX INCH... i've never seen a clown loach that large before in person - let alone one at a pet store - a big corporate one for that matter - and forget about at that price!!!

Maybe I'm just incredibly lucky!

I will be the first to admit that if I hadn't managed to get the deals that I got for my Sid's then I certainly wouldn't have as many as I have. I think if you want a large shoal of loaches then in my opinion the 4 with the most character are Clowns, Sid's, Zebras and Skunks.

The problem with the Skunks is their temperament so tank mates can be a problem. The problem with Clowns is the fact that their ideal housing requirements is beyond most aquarists.

So that leaves the Sid's and the Zebras, The Zebras are the cheaper option and they will offer hours of enjoyment but I can honestly say that hand on heart there is nothing that really compares to a huge shoal of Sid's. They are very outgoing and brave to the point of nibbling your hand when working in the tank and having 10 or more Sid's nibbling on your hand is an experience in itself and they are one of the smallest loaches so having to have a huge tank isn't an issue.

[cybermeez]

I think if you want a large shoal of loaches then in my opinion the 4 with the most character are Clowns, Sid's, Zebras and Skunks.

I'd have to add Botia dario to that list. Some of the most comical loaches I've ever known.

[djloach]

Very nice. I was thinking of getting a group myself. Does anyone know if they would be good tankmates for clown loaches in my 90g tank?