Schistura balteata tank setup

[Matthew]

Last month I aquired a group of Schistura balteata that are now about ready to come out of the quarrantine tank. At last count I have 8 plus one S. kohchangensis and one other Schistura sp. I have been unable to ID. The kohchangensis came mixed with the balteata and the unknown in a group of garra around the same time. Anyway, I will be moving these fish into a river tank set up for them specifically and was wondering if we have any further information on wild habitat besides what is in the species index? There is one wild habitat picture that shows the loach in question in tannin stained water.... should I filter through peat? Is this fish often found in darker water and if so should I be concerned about lowering pH? The fish are doing well at present but I would like there future tank to mimic their natural habitat as much as possible. Any advice and/or expierence would be appreciated. Thanks!

Matthew

[Nonn]

I'm not sure which population of S. balteata you have, but I have seen them live in both tanin stained water and in clear stream water. This species love a lot of current, a lot of hiding place, extreamly good quality water and they hate high percentage water change. My advice is to change very small percentage often. They are one of the hardest Schistura sp. to take care in my opinoin, and I have kept a lot of species.

[piggy4]

Hi Nonn, I've had three in a grrr tank S.berdmorhae ,S,beauforti,and Y.mortleti, and they seem to be ok , I think mine are the c/f s the ones with the black spots/lines on the dorsal .

[Matthew]

Thanks alot Nonn! The tank wil have quite a bit of current, it is being custom made so I do not know the exact velocity yet but I will post this info when its complete. I will do small percentage water changes as you suggest and keep the water clean and fast. I will post pictures, when I can, of the loaches/tank and then perhaps we can figure out the locality where they were collected. Thanks again.

Matthew