Suggestions Please...

[Timmy_Bee]

Hi,

I just upgraded to a 180 litre tank (Juwel Rio 180) and am in the process of cycling. When thats done, i will be adding my current fish in - 2 common pleco's and 8 Barbs.
I've always loved my catfish the most (i've got no issues with favoratism [sp]) and want to get some new ones now that i've got a bigger tank.
Can you recommend any? and, even better, if anyone in here is from / near Norwich, UK - do you know any good places to get them?

 

[Timmy_Bee]

I've been looking at the '30 plecos under 8 inches' post (along with google images...) and i really like all the striped ones - tiger / zebra / leopard frog pleco's. Are these easy to keep? and will my Barbs dislike any?

 

[kaivalagi]

Hi Timmy, I'm from Norwich. Best place for catfish....HB Aquatics has some variety, atleast they did last time I checked. I tend to get most of my fish from Swallow Aquatics, Easy Harling though, it's a bit of a drive but I like the quality..worth calling them first to check stocks before driving out though

What in particular are you looking for? More plecs? Maybe a Bristlenose? Or something with long whiskers....? I think pretty much any plec will get on with barbs, just be careful with your other plecs that you already have. Could get some plec on plec fighting...

Even with the tank size you have the 2 common plecs could well issues later on I think, what size are they now?

 

[TimNorwich]

I'm in Horsford, Norwich, Taverham Garden Centre is just up the road from me, they usually have a good selection of plecs, though I spoke to the older chap that works there and they said they are having trouble getting stock in. Best of luck.

EDIT: Heres a list of all the places around here I could think of:

Taverham Garden Centre, always good.

Rarely use HB Aquatics, purely because all the staff there seem too cool and up their own bottoms.

Fishworld at Crostwick, nice chap, often good prices, but he seems too old school, also a lot of his fish look unwell.

Giant Pet Store I often have a look in, but never buy anything purely because their new stock is basic.

Pets At Home, use only very occasionally as they usually have a good selection of plants.

I go to Swallow Aquatics once or twice a year, it's about 40mins so a bit of a treck.

Not sure if anybody has heard of Cherry Lane Garden Centre, near Great Yarmouth? They have a fish shop there which I was really impressed with the one time I went, they had a fantastic range of Rainbowfish, and also had a good range of pond fish too.

I've been to Maidenhead Aquatics at Notcutts, they are obviously new which is why they don't have much in yet, went in a couple of weeks ago and most of their tanks were empty - A lot of potential there though.

The final one I can think of is Angel Aquatics in North Walsham, really helpful chaps working there.



Best thing to do is to give them a ring.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

I will check out Taverham and Fishworld as i haven't been there yet.
Luckily for me, my parents live a few miles from Swallow, so i can usually make an excuse to go there...

As for my current plecs, they are only a couple of inches at the mo, but am fully aware they are going to get (a lot) bigger. I can't see Mrs Timmy letting me get another bigger tank, so might be re-homing them in the future