newbie looking for loaches

[pcr4blunttopo]

Hi everyone,

It's the first time I visit this website. It's really nice and useful.

I am, actually, a newbie for keeping loaches. Now I only have two 2.5'' clown loaches in my 40 gallon fish tank. And I have been thinking to introduce more recently.

I am located around Boston (MA, USA). But the problem is that I have not so many choices here. In LFS, only few kinds of loaches are available, and some even sick.

So is there anybody here who knows which store is the best for me to buy some loaches around Boston? Or is there anybody who have some extra loaches for sale or for adoption? The clown loach is my favorite, but like others, too. Do you guys breed loaches and have babies?

Any info and help will be highly appreciated.

Please email me at : pcr4blunttopo@yahoo.com

thanks,

[NancyD]

Hi, I'm in the greater Boston area, Metro-west as we say. Tropic Isle in Framingham has darios, balteatas, kubotai. kuhlis & clowns now as I recall from a couple days ago. Uncle Ned's Fish Factory in Millis has different loaches sometimes too. Lovely Pets in Quincy I've only been to a couple times but seemed very hit or miss as does PJs in Saugus. I'm not very familiar with Boston proper, several shops had closed (or should have) when I tried to find them so if you find some good places let me know.
(you do know your clowns will out grow a 40g, right? I'd be remiss not to mention it...)
Nancy

[pcr4blunttopo]

thanks Nancy!

I have been in Lovelypets before, but not recently. I can go to check some time next week. But for other stores, I should figure out how to go first. I will let you know if I can find some good place.

For my clown loaches, they are now just buddies around 2-2.5 inches. I know clown loach will reach 12-14 inches, but need several years maybe? So I think now the 40 gallon fish tank could fit them for a while. But when should I upgrade my tank? I mean, how much room does one clown loach usually need?

thanks

[Jeremy]

I don't know if they are still there but I just purchaced 5 sumo loaches from Ned's there were 5-7 left would of got them all but with Christmass and birthdays just not in the budget. I would defenately agree Tropic isle is the most consistant in having loaches. Skiptons is in the boston area also not sure on amount of loaches but a good number of club members are happy with his fish.

[bevans]

Hi-newcomer here.

After a hiatus of about 25 years from fish-keeping, I currently have a 55 gallon tank with assorted live-bearers (sail-fin mollies, fancy guppies, fancy swords), a golden algae eater, a cory cat, a red-tailed shark and my kuhliis. (Also a 29 unheated with goldfish and mystery snails and two little 10s for the livebearer fry, but that's not pertinent to this discussion).

I love kuhliis, always have, and when I was a young girl I always had one (didn't know they need company). I got a kuhlii (exact species unknown) for this tank, and went online to find out more information. When I found out they were happier in packs (or writhing clusters!), I promptly added another striped kuhlii. The stripes are a little different, so I don't think it is the same species. Couldn't find any striped kuhliis around here for the next little bit, so I bought a pair of black ones. So now I have four, and am adding another striped one Tuesday. I figure my big tank can hold maybe 6 maximum. They are happier now, and I see more of them.

When I was younger, I had an albino kuhlii, the coolest fish on the planet. I would love to find another one, but have encountered a problem-there aren't any around here. Most of the "regular" LFS around here just looked at me blankly when I asked. So I went to the upper-crust, snooty LFS store where they hold me in contempt because I'm a newbie and keep livebearers. They said the guy who supplies them is asking $200 apiece for them right now, because they fell out of fashion and no one is breeding them. Is my leg being pulled? Are they out there? And if so, can someone point me somewhere online or elsewhere where I can find one? Thanks!

[NancyD]

I've been to Skipton's once, nice fish people but with construction & no co-pilot I couldn't get there last time. Ned gets much more unusual loaches even moosefaces once & keeps his expected order list on his web site. If you like a road trip Exotic Pets in Hadley is nice but signs are vague, 3 different schisturas called panthers I think. I just got kuhlis at T.I. that had been there for a while.
I've gotten striatas at Petsmart & sids at a little warehouse place so you never know.
We're off to the NE Aquarium today, is the club you mentioned the one that meets there? I hear parking is impossible.
Nancy

[Jeremy]

If you are trying to park on the street near to the aqaurium it is a slim possibilty. But if your willing to pay for the garage I forget the actual price but the club gets a speicial rate on meeting nites I wanna say either 8 or 12 dollars but don't quote me on it. I haven't had a problem finding a space in the garage.