Thanks for the info slappy...also would you happen to know price ranges for the loaches you mentioned and emerald corys if possible? The clown loaches were $9.99 a pop at my LFS.
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- Thread starter chicago1847
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Prices vary from store to store. I'd call your LFS and ask them. If they don't usually stock a certain species, see if they can order it for you.
chicago1847 said:
I read that dwarf chain loaches are especially fun and interesting, especially if you get a group. If you choose them, get at least 4. I read that they like to play with each other by having one loach sitting on a higher area, like a rock or bogwood, and the others will try to get him off, like a game. That sounds very interesting.
Cool, I'll see if the LFS can order chain loaches. Can anyone else corroborate that their max size is 2 inches?
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chicago1847 said:
Well, I think the largest ever caught wild specimen was a whopping 5". Though that size would be very rare in aquarium raised fish. I'm pretty sure 3" is about the biggest you'll ever see them get. Most grow to around 2-2.5". They are really cool fish with an intelligence that will surprise you. Give them some driftwood and rocks to hide under for security and they'll repay you with their playfulness.
Thanks for the info. I live near Lake Michigan...if I find driftwood on the beach is it suitable to place in the tank? Do I have to do some sort of curing process first? Also, I thought I read somewhere that driftwood will alter the ph of the water...any input would be appreciated.
To cure driftwood just boil smaller pieces and scrape off all soft decaying wood leaving behind the hard wood underneath. I found the edge of a spoon works very well for this. Large peices of wood are put in clean trash cans of very salty water for a week or two. Rock salt in bulk works well for this. The salt will cure the wood and kill anything that may be living in it...also it will help release the tannins from the wood so your tank water won't turn brown after adding it. Just be sure to rinse it very well after soaking it in the salt water and it helps to soak the wood in freshwater for a day or two after the salt treatment. Driftwood does alter pH as it softens water and makes it more acidic overtime. This really shouldn't be of any concern, however...especially with regular water changes.
