Hillstream Loach

[showjyr]

Would a hillstream loach do ok in my 55gallon tank at 77-78 degrees(about 25c) as long as there is plenty of O2 and current? I use a HOB filter meant for an 80 gallon and a powerhead for up to a 75 gallon.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hm i would say that the tank probably wouldn't have enough filtration for hillstream loaches if you are going to keep them at warmer temps than they would normally be that suited to (i would personally advise at least twice as much filtration as what is nesarsary for the gallons in the tank), a tank with a lot of algae growing in it is also very good too as many hillstream loaches are half-starved by the time they end up in petshops and don't take well to prepared foods, so fatten up best on a fresh algae source .
Keeping hillstream loaches;

http/www.loaches.com/species-index/beauf...a-kweichowensis

Importance of keeping them in the right habitat/environment;

http/www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream...n-the-fast-lane

How to make a river tank set up;

http/www.loaches.com/articles/a-river-runs-through-it

http/www.loaches.com/articles/river-tank-manifold-design

.

Ultimately you don't need to make a river tank set up like the one in the above links (although it would probably be the cheapest option) as long as you stick enough filtration in the tank to create a really strong current. There are many types of hillstream loaches (but the butterfly variety is probably the most common and the most specialised), and there are also a great deal other loaches and fish (like many types of danios and other fish like white cloud mountain minnows) which do very well in river tank style set ups if you are interested in creating one .

 

[x_amber_x]

Hi! Well I kept a hillstream loach for quite a long time in our old tank with a normal filter and lots of airpumps.. he was always lively and sucking around! He literally ate everything aswell lol On the other hand my brother had one at the same time and his didnt last long at all..

 

[Davy]

I had three hillstreams in the one tank for a couple of years, I introduced no new fish nor done anything different to normal and one day all three completely vanished never to be seen again, quite distressing I may add but a total mystery all the same.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If you look after them properly, they can live much more than just a couple of years though, in a good tank set up they can live to over 10 years old on average.

 

[-germ-]

You'll find that unless you can provide a good home for them; at least double filtration, 68-72 heatwise, loads of rocks for grazing (with algae), good water movement, aeriation and more water changes than usual that you won't get the best out of this fish, in a well set up tank the behaviour you'll see will stun you. Especially when compared with the lethargic little statues you see in LFS. If you can't provide most of the loaches required tank needs you may find that you get bored fast and the fish becomes stressed.
Flying foxes make ideal tank mates also.......