Loaches Online Forum

I have a 55g (200l) hillstream tank with turnover around 15x/hr. Temp is 78, pH is 7.6 (I'm trying to bring it down a touch, but my tap water is 8.0).

Current Stock List:

3 Sewellia lineolata w/ fry
2 Stiphodon sp. rainbow
1 Garra panda
1 schistura balteata
3 peacock gudgeons

I am interested in adding another loach. I thought Sewellia sp. spotted would probably be pretty evenly matched with lineolata and fun to try to breed, since I've had luck with the linnies. What else would work well with S. lineolata? And does anyone know where to get sp. spotted?

I'm also interested in adding a couple more stiphodons. I love the Stiphodon percnopterygionus - Odyssey's pictures look amazing! Does anyone know a source for these in the US, or a good source for some other more colorful stiphodons? (pelewensis, rutilaureus)

Thanks!

Sometimes spotted Sewellia are available on Frank's Aquarium, but not lately.
I managed to find mine as a contaminant with lineolata.
When considering tankmates, keep in mind that Sewellia scatter their eggs and the fry could make nice snacks.
I know many on here would disagree with me, but I have gastromyzons in with mine and they do fine.
I could see how the sewellia might chase the gastros from food, though.
Chenis, if you can find them, might be a good choice since they are about as bold as sewellia. Unfortunately, I have not seen them in a couple of years. Frank's sometimes has them, too.
Anubiasdesign sometimes has both species, too.

Thanks Jim - 'had not seen Anubias Design before. They don't have anything at the moment, but I will keep my eye out. Chenis would be fun... I think someday maybe I'll be annoyed by breeding/overpopulating fish, but right now I just think it's the coolest thing!

At one time, my original river tank was crawling with baby chenis and L. disparis. Then, suddenly I had a population crash. I've heard similar stories from others. So now, I have none of either species.
I do miss it. My Sewellia are producing very few fry because most of the eggs get eaten, but I hope I can remedy that to some degree.