Loach Availability? - Aquarium Advice

**Devilishturtles** · 06-20-2006, 05:41 PM

Is it just me, or are loaches becoming more and more difficult to find? In this area, all but one LFS has stopped carrying them, and prices are going up, up, up. And while I used to sell clown and dojo loaches at work, I can't get them anymore either.

Does anyone know why? I'm assuming it's just becoming too costly to import them?

JustOneMore20 · 06-20-2006, 05:46 PM

I don't know why, but they are pretty rare in my area. Some of the LPS carry yoyo loaches every once in awhile. I just recently saw Polka dot loaches at a LPS, but they were about $6 each. I've seen skunk loaches at Walmart. Oh and clown loaches are usually only available at a couple LPS (out of about 5-6 in the area). So, they're not extremely rare, but there isn't a wide selection, and the prices are usually around $6 or more a fish.

chotie · 06-20-2006, 05:50 PM

im betting because they dont sell well.

**Devilishturtles** · 06-20-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chotie

im betting because they dont sell well.

Really? I guess that's a locale thing. They sold great when I sold them, and I know a LOT of people have them in their tanks. Perhaps in the days of rising prices people are looking for "cheaper" fish...

**Zagz** · 06-20-2006, 10:29 PM

Here all the lfs's sell clown loaches. I used to be able to get yoyo's and coolie loaches but not anymore.

toddnbecka · 06-21-2006, 12:03 AM

Wild-caught loaches are available seasonally, along with many other fish. It may just be the wrong time of year, and current stocks are running low.

**Devilishturtles** · 06-21-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Wild-caught loaches are available seasonally, along with many other fish. It may just be the wrong time of year, and current stocks are running low.

You know...that makes perfect sense. They aren't bred in the US, I don't think...so they have to be wild caught...or just widely imported.

Thanks alot guys.

Menagerie · 06-21-2006, 02:53 PM

When I was looking for khuli loaches in Calgary, I found out they do not transport well. What is a LFS to do with a bag of dead loaches? That's another reason for LFS not to carry them, since it drives the price up.

06-21-2006, 08:53 PM

I will tell you,I am not a big fan of clowns but I wanted two Yo Yo Loaches so bad, and I had to wait over four months and I have over 18 LFS within a 20 mile radius. I love the Yo Yo loaches and I am so afraid of them not surviving because I had such a hard time finding them

RoK · 06-22-2006, 01:46 PM

I found my Yoyo's at a Petco. They were only being sold for a couple of weeks and they didn't get anymore after. It's probably due to the reason toddnbecca mentioned.
I see clown loaches pretty much all the time though.

I saw that Petsmart has the angelicus (polka-dot) loaches available but for $20 a piece!

06-20-2006, 05:41 PM	#1
Devilishturtles Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Frederick, Maryland Posts: 7,895 Images: 17	Loach Availability? Is it just me, or are loaches becoming more and more difficult to find? In this area, all but one LFS has stopped carrying them, and prices are going up, up, up. And while I used to sell clown and dojo loaches at work, I can't get them anymore either. Does anyone know why? I'm assuming it's just becoming too costly to import them? __________________ -Lindsay Live in the Western MD/West Virginia/DC Metro Area? Join our very active regional forum Here Like the advice someone just gave you? Add to their reputation! Click on the balance icon underneath their username and let them know.

06-20-2006, 05:46 PM	#2
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,114 Images: 8	I don't know why, but they are pretty rare in my area. Some of the LPS carry yoyo loaches every once in awhile. I just recently saw Polka dot loaches at a LPS, but they were about $6 each. I've seen skunk loaches at Walmart. Oh and clown loaches are usually only available at a couple LPS (out of about 5-6 in the area). So, they're not extremely rare, but there isn't a wide selection, and the prices are usually around $6 or more a fish. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

06-20-2006, 10:29 PM	#5
Zagz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 11,244 Images: 92	Here all the lfs's sell clown loaches. I used to be able to get yoyo's and coolie loaches but not anymore. __________________ ----------- My Profile Page My tank & fish photos. Have you voted for AA today? Like the advice or comments someone gave you? Show your appreciation with the reputation button!

06-21-2006, 02:53 PM	#8
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,232 Images: 77	When I was looking for khuli loaches in Calgary, I found out they do not transport well. What is a LFS to do with a bag of dead loaches? That's another reason for LFS not to carry them, since it drives the price up. __________________

06-22-2006, 01:46 PM	#10
RoK Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,224 Images: 11	I found my Yoyo's at a Petco. They were only being sold for a couple of weeks and they didn't get anymore after. It's probably due to the reason toddnbecca mentioned. I see clown loaches pretty much all the time though. I saw that Petsmart has the angelicus (polka-dot) loaches available but for $20 a piece! __________________ Current fish (includes all 8 running tanks): Gouramis, polypterids, SA cichlids, convicts, rainbows, plecos, loaches, ACFs, a platy, tetra, & a Ctenopoma

06-20-2006, 05:50 PM	#3
chotie Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 129	im betting because they dont sell well.

06-21-2006, 12:03 AM	#6
toddnbecka Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 750	Wild-caught loaches are available seasonally, along with many other fish. It may just be the wrong time of year, and current stocks are running low.

06-21-2006, 08:53 PM	#9
Guest Posts: n/a	I will tell you,I am not a big fan of clowns but I wanted two Yo Yo Loaches so bad, and I had to wait over four months and I have over 18 LFS within a 20 mile radius. I love the Yo Yo loaches and I am so afraid of them not surviving because I had such a hard time finding them

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