Quote:
|
Normally hillstream Loach types shouldn't be in the same tank as more aggressive schistura, nemachelius, or Botia species. These fish are going to be split up soon. Both sets of fish are from fast-flowing rivers, but the hillstreams are not very good at combating for food.
|
Hmm! I didn't think it was entirely coincidental that my hillstream loach died 2 weeks after I'd introduced the garras. On the other hand, the loach was definitely on a downward trend of activity and feeding and hadn't put much size on during the 7 months I had it. From the little I managed to research on hillstream loaches we have a few secrets to unlock yet.
There's just as little known about garras, I've seen sizes quoted from 5" to 12" for example.
www.fishpondinfo.com/misc.htm#garra www.webcityof.com/miff1038.htm http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/archiv...003/04/3/16029 http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_...Algae+Eater_E_ http://www.aquariacentral.com/specie...view_records=1 http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebI...eeatersart.htm
Like Wayne, I'm a bit suspicious of the water change regime that you have. The strategy seems to be entirely based on maintaining low nitrate levels, but don't we as fishkeepers just use the nitrate level as an indicator for other pollutants? I mean you are obviously addressing the build up of nitrates but what about other pollutants that you're not measuring? If you rely on plant and fish health as your ultimate indicator then you risk taking the set up right to the point of a crash before being able to react. I'd love to read a more scientific and reasoned response than "I maintain my tanks in balance." I've never known what that meant. :-)