Mini Stingrays…The Hillstream Loach

[fisheatfish]

Maximum size of just over 2 inches, the Hillstream loach is a great addition to your cleanup crew for any planted tank. They’re playful with one another, gentle enough to be kept with shrimp and great at scraping off algae.


My low maintenance, species only tank of these guys just produced fries…very rewarding to see



Fry is currently smaller than a grain of rice.

 

[fisheatfish]

Just to clarify…no poisonous barbs on these guys. They’re part of the loach group but resembles miniature stingrays in appearance. I love them…hope they continue to multiply

 

[Midwater]

Wonderful hillstreams.

 

[danotaylor]

Very cool looking fish! I have never seen new born HSL fry. Awesome-sauce mate!

 

[fisheatfish]

I first laid eyes on these loaches 4 months ago in a tank of a hobbyist I was purchasing some plecos from. I didn’t know the name of the loach so I searched miniature stingray. Did my research and here we are with fry

 

[cockroach]

Great fish and can be kept with anything.
Enjoy the fry, fun to raise.

 

[fisheatfish]

Great fish and can be kept with anything.
Enjoy the fry, fun to raise.

Thank you!
They’re growing and continuing to multiply.

 

[danotaylor]

Very cool. Any special requirements for the fry? Do you feed them anything special, BBS & such?

 

[fisheatfish]

Very cool. Any special requirements for the fry? Do you feed them anything special, BBS & such?

It helps to have rocks piled to create crevices for fry to hide and food particles to accumulate for them to consume. BBS is not necessary but I’m sure the colony would enjoy them. I do break down frozen blood worms and frozen brine shrimp for fry & adults. Simple setup…sponge filter and decent lighting to allow algae & biofilm to grow. They prefer cold water so no heater needed. Protein rich food and frequent water changes seems to promote spawning.

 

[danotaylor]

Noice!! Thanks for the update mate! Bloody marvelous