weather loaches

[ScottishFish]

So I was in a few different fish stores yesterday getting bits and bobs for my new tank and I saw in a couple of them weather loaches for sale, some of them just said jap loaches but they were pretty much identical. I have got in a few books information on these species and they all say the need lower temps, like suitable for goldfish, but all the stores were keeping them at around 28c, will this be harmfull to them or are my books wrong? Or perhaps I'm getting species mixed up? Help?

[Aeonflame]

Weather loaches live in coldwater environments so ideally their tanks should be coldwater. Tropical temperatures shorten their lifespan, but this may not be much of an issue since they typically live in excess of ten years

[ScottishFish]

Cheers Aeon, I quite liked the look of them and would like them in my tank, but not if they weren't going to be happy, think I could get a few?

[Aeonflame]

I live in a tropical country and they are avaliable here. I know someone who has had his dojo loaches for around ten years now with no issues whatsoever. His fish are active and healthy. From what I've read they are very adaptable and there have been introduced populations in tropical climates.

[ScottishFish]

Thanks very much! I think I'm going to get some next time I'm at the store. I know that there are many loaches that require social groups, have you any idea of a minimum number that would be acceptable for these loaches?

[Aeonflame]

Like most loaches they are a very social fish. I would get at least three