Loaches Online Forum

Thanks to everyone who weighed in about whether to get Sidthimunkis or Kubotais.

We decided on Sids so that we could get more of them later on - I love the look of a big shoal. Around here, Sids sell from $20 - $30 each.

Yesterday, we went to a store that had them for $20, and decided to take the plunge. Just as I was about to go track down an employee, I heard a group of them joking around in the next aisle, and one of them said "it's a crazy day at the fish store, we're slashing prices!" So I popped my head around the corner and said "Did I hear you say you're slashing prices!!" And the manager said "um... I meant on coral polyps, but what did you want?" So I told him, and he said they'd been there for ages and he wasn't planning on restocking them, and I could have them for half price.

So I bought them all. Unfortunately, it's only six, but I guess that's a good number to start with.

They're in quarantine right now. Their 55gallon is a newish tank - it's been set up for about 6 weeks now with eco-complete and plants, and we're just gradually adding fish from our other tank, so by the time the sids are ready to leave quarantine, it should be established well enough.

Oh, one weird thing - while we were drip acclimating them, they started climbing up the wall of the bucket - to the point where some of them would have over half their body out of the water for a few moments. The drip was really slow, water parameters were all good, so I'm guessing they were just stressed because they didn't have anywhere to hide in the bucket? Everyone was just fine when they went into the tank.

Glad to hear that you went with the Sid's, you wont be disappointed

When I got my second batch of 10 and the last batch of 16 some were coming up out of the water while in the photograph tank, I just put it down to the fact that they were in quite a small space, they have never done it since going into their aquarium.

wow, expensive little guys!

Wow that is pricey.

I saw Sids at a store here for $2.49 each a few days ago, didn't realize how lucky we were

** oops double post **

WOOT! Great deal then. You must be channeling Mad Duff who always gets notoriously, ridiculously good deals! Do you have one of those puppy dog looks and star wars force powers too?

when acclimating by a slow drip in a bucket it is a good idea to drop a plant or rock or bit of wood into the bucket. relieves the stress for the fish immensely. Even standing a fish net in the bucket will give them a place to feel like they can hide. In fact, the fish net in the bucket trick often makes it much easier to get them out later. You'll have some in the net already, and when you put it back in and wait a minute you'll often find the others hanging about in it too!

Mad Duff, you're right, they're so much fun! We popped a snail in last night, and they're probably still dragging the shell around.

Spankenstyne, I'm so jealous! I'm already wanting more than the six I got, and the sid well is running dry over here.

Shari2, that's a great idea - I'll definitely drop something in the bucket when it comes time to transfer them to the big tank.