Loaches Online Forum

Hi there,

I'm new on here and, having received some advice on stocking suggestions for a 4ft hillstream tank, have begun the process of buying equipment.
I've done the plumbing and the powerheads are on order. The tank will be ready soon to turn into a fast flowing river!
I've bought the book (really enjoying it too well done to all involved) and I'm sure I'll end up with a t-shirt eventually!

Anyway, I want to start looking at/for the fish I will eventually put in it.
Can anyone reccommend good shops in the NW of England? I'm guessing Pier Aquatics will be good but are there any others I should pay a visit too? I am happy to travel for an hour or two.

Also, one more if you don't mind. Is it best to stock a group of one type of loach, keep them in pairs or just get a mixed bag of of those available/favourites? (Sorry if the answer is in the book I'm not yet halfway through!)

Pier is great-Neil is most helpful when you are after certain things, this has to be my fav store, always has great selection of loaches and other unique species

British aquatic superstore gets good fish in but my last experience with employes handling fish was not good-others recomend it though. Ive only been the once so I cant really comment. They have a stock list avaliable online and I think they do home delivery as well?

Have a look in the cold water tanks of regular pet shops for 'hong kong plec, sucker plec' you should come across some gastros etc. Its always surprising what you find!

Il post up more later-in a bit of a rush at the moment!

Have you had a look at the species index? What species catch your eye? Certain require groups of same species, some not as much so (like some of the schistura sp).
Post up what you like and we can go from there


Ashleigh

Oh were in the North West are you from?????


Ashleigh

the same as Ashleigh really, but try your local petshops you'd be surprised what they can get in.
there's AtoZ aquatics thats in Crewe and Aqualyfe at preston.
there's also a Maidenhead near liverpool i think but i can't tell you much about the place as i have'nt been there yet.
you've picked the hardest group of fish to collect though, but as Ash has said check the tanks for possible rarities.

mick
ps, where about are you ?.

Thanks for those replies. I live on the Wirral. As far as stocking goes I'm still very much at early research stage but so far my eye has been caught by Sewellia sp. Gastros and Schisturas. I was thinking of a shoal of Danios for the upper layer and maybe one or two fan shrimps.

As I learn more I'll be asking for more specific help but thanks for making me feel so welcome!