I just saw these guys for the first time today, and the guy at the lfs was new so didn't know to much about them. Anyone ever owned one? Are they good for cleaning algae?
Hillstream Loach
- Thread starter NatashaAliza
- Start date
They generally prefer colder water... sub 60 degrees and LOTS of current.
I have often thought about putting one in my gold fish tank.
I doubt they will eat much algae, loachs eat a rather omnivorous diet of plants and animal latter, but don't typically eat algae.
I have often thought about putting one in my gold fish tank.
I doubt they will eat much algae, loachs eat a rather omnivorous diet of plants and animal latter, but don't typically eat algae.
I loved my guys. I didn't have much algae, so I can't comment there. However, they seemed to not like the higher temps (ie upper 78-82 is my range). They turned a pale color and both died with in few weeks of each other in water that was that temp. They like moving water too. But they are really cute.
Edit: didn't see above poster's comment.
Edit: didn't see above poster's comment.
ive owned them before. they are good for algea, but i they are very delicate in my experience in the sense that they cant really defend themselves from other not so nice tank mates, they like alot of caves and if its a planted aquarium it would be great. Mine would squeegee alongall day and they would be very peacful. I think if i i remember correctly they like current and to be in schools. i had 3.
They are from fast moving cooler streams and prefer their tanks that way. They work on the glass almost constantly and are very quick little fish. I would not put them in with anything aggressive or anything that requires calm or warmer water. I had mine in a tank with the temp set at 70 F and a canister filter with the output set at wide open to put as much current into the tank as possible. I had them for almost 3 years before they died of old age.
Thanks guys, I was thinking about getting them because they were pretty cute but my cichlids would murder them... And temps aren't the same :]
Hillstream loaches thrive solely on algae and aufwuches (microorganisms that harbor on algae) in the wild however in captivity, they readily accept a wide variety of foods although mine took bloodworms rather reluctantly at first.
They are very peaceful by nature preferring fast flowing and cool water. High temperature can work for the time being but oxygen is the compromise here which you must make sure is adequate otherwise they will cease to exist and this is very noticeable once they turn abnormally pale and still from their usually dark vivid coloration.
I remember mine would clash with each other for as long as 30 minutes when I had dozens of them.
They are very peaceful by nature preferring fast flowing and cool water. High temperature can work for the time being but oxygen is the compromise here which you must make sure is adequate otherwise they will cease to exist and this is very noticeable once they turn abnormally pale and still from their usually dark vivid coloration.
I remember mine would clash with each other for as long as 30 minutes when I had dozens of them.
I must have some weird hillstreams (S. lineolata) as mine are dark and happy in my 78F water (with clown loaches). Have been like that for months now and they have been fine and eating well. They did clean the algae in my tank better than my otos 
I had 2 note the HAD my little endli was growing out in the tank with them and he ate one...well the tail he couldn't handle the fatter part of it.
Anyway I keep mine at a temp between 75-78 and it is thriving...I have one section of glass that is always covered in algae and he likes to hang out there.
He also eats blood worms and brine shrimp..its cool to watch him jump onto them to eat them
Very active fun little fish!
Anyway I keep mine at a temp between 75-78 and it is thriving...I have one section of glass that is always covered in algae and he likes to hang out there.
He also eats blood worms and brine shrimp..its cool to watch him jump onto them to eat them
Very active fun little fish!