Sell or Keep Blue Botias

[Wet Whiskers]

I have some blue botias that are probably 5+ inches. I would say there are at least 5 in there, but, as I rarely see them, I really couldn't tell you an exact number. I have a gigantic session of musical tanks coming up for all my fish, and am deciding on who I am going to put where. In the process I trying to decide if I want to sell these guys or if a different environment might bring them out more.

Are they generally this shy? When they were smaller, I remember them being more active. However, the tank is crowded (hence the massive tank upgrades in progress) with a bunch a typically crazy clown loaches and a ton of other fish, many of which are bottom dwellers.

If I do sell them, I wouldn't even know what to ask. I bought these guys probably 2 years ago. I cant remember what I paid. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Ullopincrate]

This is really a preference issue. I have plecos that I rarely see that I wouldn't trade for the world. However, if I had 4+ blue botias that I never saw then I would think they were taking up room/filtration potential that could be better served with a fish I want more. As far as what to ask for them I usually just ask around to see who wants them. You could always post them FS on here to gauge interest in them. I look forward to musical tanks. I am ramping up to do that myself. I have already started moving some. Good luck with it all.

 

[Wet Whiskers]

This is really a preference issue. I have plecos that I rarely see that I wouldn't trade for the world. However, if I had 4+ blue botias that I never saw then I would think they were taking up room/filtration potential that could be better served with a fish I want more. As far as what to ask for them I usually just ask around to see who wants them. You could always post them FS on here to gauge interest in them. I look forward to musical tanks. I am ramping up to do that myself. I have already started moving some. Good luck with it all.

I'm usually one who doesn't care about how often I see a fish, as long as when I do its healthy and interesting. I'll go 2 weeks without seeing some of my plecos and in some ways its like the excitement of getting a new fish every couple weeks. Honestly, I see the blue botias even less. I'm shocked they haven't starved to death, but when I do see one they are obviously fat, growing well, and apparently happy laying on their sides under the wood. I'd love to find out that they might come out more frequently in a quieter environment.

 

[Ullopincrate]

That is entirely possible. It would be interesting. I recall them as being pretty active. Then again I have never owned any, I just took care of them until they were sold at the store.

 

[jcardona1]

i say keep them! i have two 6"ers with my clown loaches and i think theyre awesome!

 

[Wet Whiskers]

i say keep them! i have two 6"ers with my clown loaches and i think theyre awesome!

How do they get along with the CLs, and how big are the the CLs? How active are they?

Also, I just found one in a 6" lone pipe, and he barely fits from to back in there. If they stay they're going into a 180 gallon tank, and they could really reach some good sizes in there. If I can only get them out and about...

 

[killerfahaka]

sell them.....taking up bio load

 

[Cakilla]

well I'd say keep them and try them inthe 180 and then after they have adusted if they still hide then I would sell them and replace with a more active fish

 

[Wet Whiskers]

well I'd say keep them and try them inthe 180 and then after they have adusted if they still hide then I would sell them and replace with a more active fish

I'm kind of leaning towards this. However, I probably wont replace them with anything if I do sell them. I already have some absurd unknown number of fish, of which most are growing and will need more space. I have 11 fish ranging from 2-20" in just hanging out in quarantine at the moment.

 

[jcardona1]

How do they get along with the CLs, and how big are the the CLs? How active are they?

Also, I just found one in a 6" lone pipe, and he barely fits from to back in there. If they stay they're going into a 180 gallon tank, and they could really reach some good sizes in there. If I can only get them out and about...

i have about 15 loaches all together, include the 2 botias. they all getting along great and hang out together. the loaches dont come out as much as they used to, but this is because my cichla try to eat them! theyre between 4-7"