Hillstream loaches are very quiet fish that want to keep their own business in mind. Some people keep them with coldwater goldfish, while others keep them with typical tropical fish species. Colorful koi fish been revered for centuries, and it's easy to see why. These fish are actually quite hardy and dont fall ill often. Today it is easier than ever to install a pond right in your own back yard, but building a koi pond is neither fast nor cheap, so you want to make sure you're starting out in the right way. They are peaceful, hardy, and relatively easy to care for. They remain busy doing their own things. Borneo hillstream loaches like to lay their eggs in caves and among plants. If the water is clear, the fish will be a lighter color. They prefer habitats with a lot of rocks and hiding places, as well as a moderate to high flow of water. They can be given algae wafers and a variety of blanched vegetables, including lettuce and cucumber, to supplement their vegetative needs. And when you keep them in an aquarium, they will love to eat anything that will grow on the plant leaves, rocks, driftwood, and walls of your fish tank. Join 8,000+ other Aquascapers and receive helpful aquarium tips and free stuff direct to your inbox. Fast-flowing water also encourages the growth of algae, which they will graze on. The male will swim in front of the female and wave his fins to attract her attention. If you suspect your hillstream loach is eating your snails, you may want to consider adding more algae or other nutritious food sources for the fish to eat. The Butterfly hillstream loach is a very small freshwater fish that is easily recognizable thanks to its long and slender body. They have very short barbels that help them locate food. The feeding and water quality will have a direct impact on the fish and can trigger a breeding cycle. Best Flowering Aquarium Plants For Your Tank (Expert Review), How Often Do Ghost Shrimp Molt? It also helps to anchor plants in the aquarium which is very important as these fish need some flow in their tank. Butterfly hillstream loaches are active fish that enjoy swimming in groups. Hillstream loaches make great additions to any aquarium because of their peaceful nature, low maintenance requirements, and attractive appearance. They can also be seen grazing on algae and scavenging for other small invertebrates in their environment. The price of a hillstream loach may vary depending on the supplier, but typically ranges from $15 to $30. They can survive in a wide range of water parameters, but it is always best to try and match the water parameters of their natural habitat as closely as possible. They are constantly on the move, so they need a lot of space to swim. Beaufortia kweichowensis - Wikipedia The one that remains now seems perfectly fine being alone, and isn't shy at all. When choosing an aquarium light, make sure to buy one that is specifically designed for aquariums. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. Aquarium Store Depot earns a commission if you make a purchase. Given time, it should become more confident even being alone. The common names for this popular aquarium species are Chinese hillstream loach, Hong Kong pleco, butterfly hillstream loach, and Chinese sucker fish. These fish typically feed on algae and small invertebrates found on rocks and plants in the tank. Hillstream loaches are also known for their playful personalities and their love of exploring their surroundings, which can make them a fun and interesting addition to any aquarium. Fun Butterfly Hillstream Loach Facts For Kids | Kidadl The aerator can be placed anywhere in the tank to help introduce additional oxygen. Goldfish Tank Hillstream loaches originate from cool waters, which allow them to live in the lower temperatures preferred by goldfish. The hillstream loch fish has no problem being in the same aquarium with other fish species. Fish and a variety of other sea animals have the capability of surviving many environmental conditions so long as these are habitable. Variation in the flow is important for their overall health and wellbeing. It looks healthy but I'm concerned that I haven't seen it eat. Their eyes are small and set high on the head. Mark is the founder of Aquarium Store Depot. This can be accomplished by using a powerful filter and/or adding an airstone to the tank. We believe that family edutainment should be engaging, inspiring and always on trend so that every member of the family can benefit from it! Hillstream Loach quarantine question - General Discussion - C.A.R.E. The best feeding practice for Hillstream loach in captivity is to feed them a mix of protein and vegetable foods. If you get just one, it may be lonely, but if you get two there is a chance that the stronger one could bully the weaker one over food or territory. This is thought to be a form of camouflage that helps them avoid predators. Together, a powerful filter and an aerator can create a unidirectional water flow that carries dissolved oxygen; additional wave pumps may be needed to create the desired effect. The second disease to be aware of is gill flukes. Could you upload a picture of the tank, to see how the environment looks like. For instance, tetras, snails, rasbora, akysis, danio, Stiphodon, hara, rhinogobjus, Dwarf Shrimp, and more. Hillstream loaches are some of the most beautiful and unique aquarium fish available. However, hillstream loaches and plecos are not even remotely related. In the wild environment, they eat very small aquatic crustaceans found at the bottom of the river, a tiny organism living underwater, and algae. I found the loach as well, and attached a picture of her/him, I have no idea how to gender them. In the wild, Hillstream loaches typically live in groups of 10 20 fish, and they have a hierarchy within the group. Originally found in tropical regions of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, hillstream loaches live in shallow riffles, river rapids, and slower-moving stream pools in between. Hillstream loaches also require cool and very well oxygenated water with plenty of current, so having a large tank ensures that you can provide these conditions for your fish. However, their lifespan can be affected by factors such as diet and water quality. These fish are known for their unique butterfly markings. This species is a good community tank fish. Depending on the type of freshwater tank you plan on keeping your hillstream loach in, water temperature should remain stable between 64-80 F. Filtration and aeration are some of the most important factors of this hillstream loach care guide. However, there are a few things that need to be considered before just throwing these loaches in with any goldfish. These fish are like your typical sucker fish but with more of a coolness factor, and they are smaller to boot. Never overfeed or let the food stay uneaten in the tank as it will lead to health problems for the fish. The tubes should be non-perforated, The tank has to be high and long. Hillstream Loach - Species Profile & Setup Corydoras prefer warmer water, while hillstream loaches require cooler water. Matching aquarium water to their natural habitat benefits these fish by providing them with similar water conditions that they are used to in the wild. How long did you have it? If you notice this, its important to take your fish to the vet as soon as possible. Driftwood, rocks, and caves are all great options. If you take good care of them and offer them healthy fish food, the adult hillstream loaches may start breeding. when they aren't hunting they're generally hiding . Hillstream Loaches are best kept in cooler water. This allows the smooth bodies of hillstream loaches to stay safe from jagged rocks and twigs. You are using an out of date browser. Hillstream loaches like the water to be a little on the colder side so that rules out a lot of tropical freshwater fish. They come in a wide variety of green shades and patterns. So, while keeping in your aquarium, you need to ensure that you are providing your hillstream loaches with different types of nutrition-rich foods. For hillstream loach specific, they like high flow cooler tanks with lots of oxygen content. This way, chances of predators finding a delicacy on the eggs or fry of this fish are limited. Once the eggs hatch, the fry should be fed infusoria. In the wild, they can be found in countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The only key fact is that these fish prefer to live in colder waters so their tank mates should be able to live in such an environment. Dry flakes, pellets, and algae wafers are not always a complete source of food so its best to add some frozen protein foods to their diet as well. Some recommended species are Java fern (Leptochilus pteropus), Amazon sword (Echinodorus grisebachii), and members of Bolbitis. Angelfish And Hillstream Loach | Pet Igloo What Size Tank Do Hillstream Loaches Need? They should receive frozen foods no more than once or twice per week. (Everything You Need To Know), A Complete Care Guide for German Blue RamsFeeding, Housing, Breeding, and More, Freshwater Crabs - 15 Great Selections (With Pictures), Freshwater Angelfish - A Complete Care Guide, Tropical Fish Species - 30 Popular Types (With Pictures! Set one tank with conditions necessary for algae growth. The changes are slow and might not be noticeable unless you place before and after pictures next to each other. If you have more males you might see a lot of fighting over territory. It has a large head with small eyes, and its mouth is located at the bottom of its head. You get them wet, and then you press them against the glass and they stay there, at least for a while. However, if you compare, you will find that the male has a vibrant coloring. A large aquarium provides more space for the fish to swim around and explore, as well as holding more water volume which can help to stabilize water conditions. The female will lay her eggs on the spawning mop. As a result, they need high levels of oxygenation. The Hillstream loach can also change its color to match its surroundings. 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. How to Know If It Happens, Why Did My Ghost Shrimp Die? A hillstream loach needs around 50 gallons of water to thrive. Well, it would be kind of very funny to observe these fishes.