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New Loach owner
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:09 pm
by MLady
A couple of weeks ago I bought what I thought and told was a Butterfly Pleco, only to discover in the last 24 hours that in reality he/she is a Chinese Butterfly Loach.
I have yet to see him/her eat anything, but then again it could because the Platty's get to it first. How do I make sure he/she is getting food and how do I know it is either a male or female?
BTW... I really like him/her and love the way it moves through the tank.
Many Thanks in advance!
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:13 pm
by Graeme Robson
Hi MLady. Welcome to Loaches Online.
Please have a read of this >>
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstr ... -fast-lane
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:34 pm
by brett_fishman
welcome to LOL!!
aside from their requirements, in graeme's post, what are you feeding them??
they wont really be able to eat flakes because of the platys, unless you
really overfeed = not good...
get some good sinking pellets/tablets and good quality algae wafers (i recommend the hikari brand)
-brett.
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:03 pm
by buddythelion
I had the same problems with my Gastromyzons when I first got them (about a month ago). But after a while they have become little pigs, fighting over the algae wafers.
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:04 pm
by MLady
Thanks for the info... *S*
brett... I am using the Hikari brand. *S*
From my understanding they like to live in small groups and since I have other fish in the tank (20g), I'm not sure if there would be room for another one.
Any ideas?
Once again... Thanks!
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:14 pm
by Martin Thoene
Hi MLady and welcome to LOL. Seems we're having "Southern Ontario Day" today
You'll note from my article that these fish need a lot of current and aeration to survive, let alone thrive. Does your tank provide those conditions?
As regards sexing, assuming that these are
Beaufortia kweichowensis, as I state in this profile, sexing is very difficult unless you can compare several that are in prime condition:
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/be ... ichowensis
Martin.
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:27 pm
by MLady
Hi Martin!
Gotta love Southern ON Day! *LOL*
He/she loves to stay by the undergravel filter tubes where there is lots of current and tonight I turned up the main filter (whisper) and when my hubby gets home I'm going to get him to turn up the bubble curtain. I would do it, but I'm not sure which tube belongs to it. *LOL*
Is this going to be enough for him? If not then maybe I should find him a new home. *pout* I really like him and want him to be happy.
One more thing... He/she is only about an half inch long or less.
Kathy