I Found Dwarf Chain Loaches Locally!

[Asheyna]

So I finally found a solution for my desire to have loaches but the problem of a smaller tank. Dwarf Chain Loaches. But then of course, the fun of finding them. Apparently no where online ever ships to Canada (possible exaggeration but it feels like fact). The only LFS I'd discovered up to this point is kind of icky, dimly lit, not clean, total disaster... but even they didn't stock them. The guy at the counter suggested Clown Loaches as "basically the same thing."

After two days of searching online I found a fish store in downtown Vancouver, about an hour and a bit of a drive away. They're called Aquariums West and oh my gosh they are just the most amazing store EVER. It's clean and organized like a big box store, but stocked like a LFS. All the employees are fish tank owners with years of experience and most were customers before becoming employees. Super helpful, friendly and I just adore this store. AAAND, they stock Dwarf Chain Loaches. So last night I drove down and picked up my new fishies. They were even on sale!

The Barbs were a little shocked to discover intruders in their big tank but they quickly learned to share and just leave the Loaches alone now. The Loaches settled very quickly into the new tank, faster than the Barbs did. Took them about an hour and the five of them were shoaling all over the place! Great active little fish, I'm looking forward to watching them grow (but not too much lol)

[Lady Hobbs]

Good for you finding these. I never see them around my parts but then, I never find anything around my parts.

:(

[Asheyna]

Yeah I was talking to the sales guy about how ppl on forums complain how they're hard to find. He said they always have lots in stock. They seem like a phenomenal store, I'm sooo happy. Totally worth the 2h round trip!

[Lady10Godiva]

They are so cute. We have considered them too but the only place that has them here uses a high percentage of ro water and acclimating just hasnt worked for us.

Good luck.

[Old Marine]

Nice looking little Loaches

[Asheyna]

Thanks. They're settling in pretty well although they like to hang out behind all the plants. Paranoid fish-mommy that I am keep squeezing back to count them and make sure they're all doing ok!