More Pygmy's Or Different Species?

[isadorala]

At the moment I've got 5 pygmy corries. I used to have a bronze too (was a guest as someone needed to get a new tank as the old one got broken).
I've noticed since he's left they've become a lot more reclusive.
They are no longer doing the rounds of the tank (I'm talking top speed for at least 20+ rounds sometimes)
(Why top speed? They could never keep up with the bronze, but oh they sure tried )

I've looked in the West-Yorkshire area, but none of the shops I can get to (don't have a car) seem to have them (or other pygmy kinds).
(I'm not to keen on ordering online either)

So I was wondering if say, I can't find any more this month, I should get some of a different species?
If so, I only have a small tank. +/- 33L, any got any ideas which ones?

 

[coldcazzie]

How far out of Bradford can you get?

Have you tried ringing somewhere like QSS and asking if they will order them in for you?

 

[isadorala]

I have actually been to them, and I have asked when I was there, but they don't do them.
I haven't actually asked the ones on Tongstreet (?), at the time I still had the bronze and wasn't considering getting more, but I didn't see them.
At the moment, limited to train and busses.
The ones I got I picked up from Manchester, but the train was quite expensive and defo can't afford to do that again. (I'm only a poor student)

 

[coldcazzie]

I know the feeling. I am restricted to busses also, and with a 2 year old in tow, the amount of time the journey takes is an important factor.

My hubby commutes to Manchester, but if he were to go to MA in Ashton he'd then have to transport fish home via the M62 on his motorbike. I don't mind doing that for loca stores, but an hour on the motorway I'm not happy with - I know how cold it gets on the back of a bike at 70mph!

If you did want to buy online, I would be willing to split postage with you. For example, Kesgrave Tropicals on ebay currently have pygmys for sale, as well as habrosus (which I'm considering buying some of). For large fish orders it's £15 for next day courier delivery so would work out as £7.50 each - much cheaper than a train to Manchester, and only marginally more expensive than a bus!! (which is a bit in itself!)

The Pet City on Tong Street might be willing to if they can get them from their stockists. I bought some cories from there this weekend, and asked if they were going to get any more in and he said they were still on the wholesalers list so would order another 25. I won't be buying all of them, but might buy another 10.

I don't know if the Pet City on Great Horton Road sells fish?

There's also the garden centres - ACW on Shipley Airedale Road and Tong Garden Centre (not that you could get to either of them without a car anyway, not without a loooooooong walk - and I personally wouldn't buy fish from Tong again after watching one of their staff's ineptitude at fish catching and having all the fish die on me once I got them home...)

 

[isadorala]

ACW doesn't have that many fish actually, I've been there, although it works out to catch the train there and get watertreatments etc as they're fairly cheap)
and I don't think the one on great horton road exists anymore... (could be wrong, I'll try walking up in the weekend and see just in case though)

I did happen to ring the one on Tongstreet, but they only get hastatus or habrosus in. Could they be an option then?
(told me to check in on weekends as they usually get the new fish in then, thought you might want to know as well if you didn't already)

I wouldn't mind ordering the fish from ebay with you, however. (I might just have a little look to see what else they have on offer...)

 

[coldcazzie]

I bought sychri there. Didn't know they got habrosus in... they didn't have any when I was there last.

It could be worth ringing back and specifically asking - at worst, they'll say no and you'll be in the same place as you are now

Bigger groups are definitely better than smaller ones, so personally I'd only look at another dwarf species if you've fully exhausted all the pygmy options first

 

[isadorala]

They didn't, but they had ordered some, only weren't sure when they'd be coming in.
They definitely weren't getting any pygmy's though or going to order them

 

[coldcazzie]

boo

 

[bae1994]

Have you had a look on aquarist classified ?

Theres new adverts every day so you never know

Bae

 

[Akasha72]

what about Stephen Smiths at Otley?
I've had several cories from there and they've been brilliant and cheap. It's on a bus route aswell so easy enough to get to. I was there last week and they had bronze's, peppered, pygmy's and the all black ones too.

I now have a small box, lined with polystyrene for longer journeys.

 

[isadorala]

Thanks, might make a weekend journey then

Not having a car is so inefficient, especially if you don't know anything else but the city centre.

 

[Akasha72]

Thanks, might make a weekend journey then

Not having a car is so inefficient, especially if you don't know anything else but the city centre.

I can imagine - I can't cope without a car in all honesty.

From what I remember there's a bus from Bradford directly into Otley bus station. You'd probably have to change buses to get on the right road for Stephen Smiths (with me not using buses I can't be certain) but it's not that far out of Otley centre - probably a little too far to walk it though.

The aquatic part is right at the back of the building and only small but I've always found the fish to be healthy. Check out the beautiful marine tank built into the wall while your there! I could stand and watch that for hours

 

[isadorala]

Well, I've postponed it until thursday,
with the buss service on sunday, I'd have to stand in the cold for half an hour. Not something I want to do if I'm carrying fish...
Although I was planning on taking a hot-water bottle and ask if they could fill it for me.

@ coldcazzie, if I spot any hasbrosus there, would you like me to pick some up for you? (Don't know how many you wanted ?)
My tank isn't that big though if they had to spend there for a while...
(Also, I just had my first 3 babies , they're endlers and tiny still, but I think they've learned to evade my frogs )

 

[coldcazzie]

No, but thanks. Next weekend I'm hopefully buying another 10 C.sychri, so I don't want to add too many new fish in a short space.

However, if they do, can you let me know? I'd prefer to get fish from as many sources as possible, it's good for the genetics

You're right about the bus service too - ours is only every hour on a Sunday and it's a pain! There is a fish auction at Bradford Academy today though?

 

[isadorala]

@ coldcazzie, they didn't have any habrosus at the time.
And no pygmy corries, apparently the last ones went sunday

Oh well, I did pick up two julii's, both were hiding in the corner of the tank with a load of angel fish above.
They seem much happier and I think they've been adopted by my pygmies

I tried to take some pictures, but all I end up with is blurry shots. They just won't sit still!!!
They are less frustrating than the plec I got though, wanted to take a picture to confirm ID
As soon as he sits still, I get my phone out... zoom in... and he moves... EVERY SINGLE TIME
He must have a 6th sense to help him evade camera's
Oh well, I must succeed eventually...