In the wild, they can be found in countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The dorsal fin is the longest and starts about two-thirds of the way back on the fish. For general coldwater tank setups, your loach can get along with danios and white cloud minnows. Beaufortia kweichowensis - Wikipedia Make sure you provide them with plenty of hiding places within the tank so they feel safe at all times and keep up with regular water changes so they stay healthy! Hillstream loach fish are particularly susceptible to stress and diseases, which can lower their lifespan considerably. This is a very common freshwater disease that can affect Butterfly hillstream loaches (and really any other fish species). However, there is one thing that you should keep in mind. Hillstream loaches are not very good at parenting, so the eggs are often left to fend for themselves. You may be wondering how to keep a coldwater species in warm water temperatures, but these fish are surprisingly adaptable. Hillstream loach fish are known for their unique patterns and fins, which make them a popular choice for aquariums. These loaches get along well with other peaceful fish and make a great addition to any community tank. This can lead to stress. Some recommended species are Java fern (Leptochilus pteropus), Amazon sword (Echinodorus grisebachii), and members of Bolbitis. Hillstream Loaches are best kept in cooler water. Hillstream loach fish are typically around 2.5 inches long but can grow up to 3 inches. These fish are accustomed to the water conditions of East Asia and are known for their unique social behaviors. Females have very broad heads that are nearly the same width as their pectoral fins. Regular tank maintenance is necessary to keep nutrients down and replenish the tank water. JavaScript is disabled. It also helps to anchor plants in the aquarium which is very important as these fish need some flow in their tank. Well, that doesnt mean that they can survive on algae only. Size: 2.5-3 inches. They have a flat stomach and come with brown and yellow-colored lines along with black spots. They can be given algae wafers and a variety of blanched vegetables, including lettuce and cucumber, to supplement their vegetative needs. They can provide a place for fish to hide or take a rest from the fast-flowing waters above. Borneo hillstream loach Care Guide: Diet, Tank Mates, Diseases There arent too many aquarium fish that originate from the exact same areas as the hillstream loach, but there are a few species that do well in a river tank setup. You should also add plenty of aquatic plants and provide a strong current with good water circulation. The biggest difference between these two fish is that hillstream loaches originate from Southeast Asia, while plecos are found throughout South America. They prefer to remain active during the day, often swimming among rocks and plants in search of food. They are also a peaceful fish, which makes them a good tank mate for a variety of other species. Looking like a cross between a loach and a stingray, this streamlined species is wonderfully adapted to swift currents. To help make sure that your loaches are getting enough to eat, feed the rest of the tank floating fish flakes while providing your hillstream loaches with sinking food. Make sure to use a filter guard to prevent this from happening while also giving your fish more room to graze! Plants would be minimal, with intense lighting that facilitates algae growth. BUT in your case I don't think that's the biggest issue, as your loach doesn't try to scavenge ever. These fish also help keep the tank clean by eating algae and other debris. Hillstream loaches aren't the sharpest tools in the shed when it comes to feeding, even by fish standards, so they don't react to feeding time as fast as other fish. After about a week, the eggs will hatch. Like all other fish species, the key to keeping these beautiful loaches is maintaining water parameters and quality. During water changes, the substrate can be siphoned for leftover food and other fish waste. While there are a number of Loaches that could work with Bettas, such as Dwarf and Panda Loaches, one of the best choices for compatibility is Kuhli Loaches. Given time, it should become more confident even being alone. Another thing is, they are a shoaling species, so they feel more confident in larger numbers - which is unfortunately out of question in your tank. The next gen Fluval Canisters are a best buy! They usually thrive if you maintain everything at the following levels: Water temperature: 68F and 75F Water hardness: Medium to hardness pH Levels: 6.5-7.5 Theyre not the biggest fish out there, but you still need at least a 20-gallon tank for a single fish. Otherwise, the tank can be decorated with any aquarium-safe decoration of your choosing. This is a parasitic infection that can cause a lot of problems for your fish. Once she has done that, the male will fertilize them. Avoid keeping aggressive species such as cichlids or bettas with these little guys as they may be bullied or injured by their larger tankmates. At the same time, An aquarium looks more beautiful to humans when good light is used. They have very short barbels that help them locate food. In fact, their similarities end with their matching colors and body shapes. Other morphological differences also become apparent when put side to side. Keep in mind that planted tanks will process nutrients better than those without any plants. Hopefully he starts eating soon, because if he doesn't, his chances aren't good. Some features of the hillstream loach fish are: Remember the hillstream loach fish was specifically used to very fast-moving water and the body is adjusted to it. Why are some of my reticulated hillstream loaches more shy than others Remember, the hillstream loach can usually be found eating algae in shallow waters under direct sunlight. Find our more about TAG. Could you upload a picture of the tank, to see how the environment looks like. You can also keep them with shrimps, live plans, snails, and non-aggressive fish. Hillstream loaches require especially clean water, so we recommend weekly water changes of about 30%. Filtration is an important part of any fish tank, but it is especially important in Hillstream Loaches. Besides, the water condition and flow of water are good. Hillstream loach is always hiding | Hillstream Loach Forum Or you landed on here because you had no idea what they are? The hillstream loach fishes are referred to as Cypriniformes and Cobitoidea, with the superfamily further split into eight subgroups. They are also peaceful fish that get along well with other tank mates of a similar size. For example, Oscars, African cichlids, barbs, and more. However, when kept in a home aquarium, they seem to enjoy the company of their own kind and do better when kept in groups of three or more. Instead, these shallow areas receive high amounts of sunlight, facilitating biofilm and other algae growth for hillstream loaches to feed on. Hillstream Loach - Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding That being said, many hobbyists have successfully kept these fish with typical tropical fish in water temperatures up to 80 F. The common name hillstream loach also refers to the overall Balitoridae scientific family instead of the singular species; this group may also be known as river loaches. Besides, offer them a natural-like setup. Corydoras prefer warmer water, while hillstream loaches require cooler water. Borneo Loach vs Hillstream Loach - Aquariumia With the knowledge drops Ill offer today, you will be ready to embark on keeping these unique fish in your aquarium. Your tank water needs to be filled with the things generated from water changes. References:SewelliaMicroanatomy of the Paired-Fin Pads of Ostariophysan Fishes. These fish are expensive to buy, and so logic follows that theyre hard to keep. Their colors mainly vary depending on the environment they are living in the wild. Good tank mates include harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha), neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), danio (Danio). Males also develop a rugged structure on their pectoral fins. They are active and playful and enjoy hiding among the rocks and plants in their tank. Besides, the water condition and flow of water are good. Fang, 1931. Hillstream Loach - Species Profile & Setup Live plants can help to create a more balanced and healthy environment for the fish. Never overfeed or let the food stay uneaten in the tank as it will lead to health problems for the fish. . Most hillstream loaches have adapted to aquarium water parameters, meaning that they can comfortably survive in water temperatures up to 80 F. These community tanks can be filled with your favorite tetras, rasboras, and featured fish. The South China region is the other populous place for them, while the connecting countries have witnessed this species or sub-types in a few of the streams. This will help them to stay healthy and thrive in their new environment. Care Guide of the Daring and Unusually Black Spotted Hillstream Loach The loach is known for its omnivorous diet because it eats algae flakes and other related plant material but will also not hesitate to eat brine . When choosing tank mates for hillstream loaches, it's important to select species that can tolerate the same water conditions as the loaches, as well as those that won't be intimidated by their active swimming habits. Their bodies then taper down to their caudal peduncle rather abruptly. If you notice this, its important to take your fish to the vet as soon as possible. Besides, they can also eat pellets, fish flakes, algae wafers, and more in some cases. Each year, he continues to help his readers and clients with knowledge, professional builds, and troubleshooting. A hillstream loach, also known as the Zebra Loach (Pseudogastromyzon fasciatus), is available for purchase today for $21.99. Besides, you also need to consider regular aquarium maintenance, water quality degradation, and oxygens saturation level of the water. Feed them once or twice per day and only give them as much food as they can eat in 2 minutes. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "afc9c304ddd1860a2630b887c06a8057" );document.getElementById("c8f286cabb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Get the latest on sales, new posts, and new videos! Exploring the Social Lives of Pearl Gourami, Add Color to Your Aquarium with the Celebes Rainbowfish, The Peaceful Peacock Gudgeons A Aquarium Hobbyists Guide, Highland Cows: The Friendly and Hardy Livestock Breed, Exploring the Exciting World of Hip Hop Dance, The Fascinating Journey of Turtle Eggs Uncovering Their Hidden Secrets. Unlike plecos, the small size of Hillstream loach makes them perfect for smaller aquariums. Hillstream loaches may be aggressive to fish with similar habits because that usually means that they compete with them for resources, as I have seen them do to three lined corys. This will help keep your fish healthy and happy. They are a species that is best left to the experts. If you want to have a bigger group of Reticulated Hillstream fish, you will need a bigger aquarium.