Compatible with many smaller, peaceful fish. So, be sure to perform regular water changes and closely monitor your aquarium for signs of ammonia or nitrite spikes. However, the standard water parameters are pretty much the same as most other freshwater fish species. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, Myer's Hillstream loach, Chinese Hillstream Loach, Sucker-Belly Loach. pH: 7.0-7.8. Recommended Tank Parameters. pH Levels: 6.5-7.5. These peaceful Loaches thrive in community tanks and will clean up your tank as they go. The hillstream loaches or river loaches are a family, the Balitoridae, [3] of small fish from South, Southeast and East Asia. Reticulated Hillstream Loach. You should add plenty of smooth pebbles as the female is more likely to deposit eggs if there is a safe environment for her to do so. However, they have a very slow growth rate. They are sometimes sold as "lizardfish" or (in Germany) "flossensaugers". The average hillstream loach lifespan is between 8-10 years if properly taken care of. The eggs are often deposited out of sight, usually among larger pebbles or rocks. They are small bottom-dwelling freshwater fish from Asia and there are about 500 species in 37 genera. This fascinating, peaceful fish is primarily an algae and biofilm grazer that is an excellent candidate for the mature subtropical and tropical aquarium. One interesting behavior to watch out for is when they tussle belly to belly with each other. Although they are omnivorous they do not need many protein-rich foods. Hillstream loaches are bottom-dwelling and like to burrow and slide their undersides across the bottom of the tank. The most common type of stream loach is the red-tailed loach (Doratochromis chrysomelas). These fish have few-to-no scales and sucker-type mouths. Also, avoid high water temperatures to ensure greater dissolved oxygen content. Hillstream loaches are easy to care for as long as these fish live in the right water parameters. The hillstream loach is part of a family of calm, peaceful loaches native to fast-moving streams and rivers in Asia. With careful planning of your aquarium layout, you can not only provide your catfish with hiding places, but you will actually have the benefit of seeing them as well. Theyre small, but they can grow quickly and live in very clean water. You will need a 50 gallon tank with a strong pump. Replicating the fast-flowing currents in the hillstream loachs natural environment will prevent the fish from becoming stressed. Their diet consists primarily of other fish, so they make great pets for experienced aquarists who want something different than standard goldfish or tetras. These stripes are usually more linear on the caudal and dorsal fins. Hillstream loaches are also prone to common freshwater diseases. Will eat prepared food, but also need a good algae growth for the little goodies (aufwuchs) that grow on it. Once fry have hatched it takes around 1 year for them to become fully grown. I lost my first betta last summer in a heat wave :( I bought a new betta in September and the new betta don't like my loach, he's dancing around him with his fins out big, back and forth where the loach is sitting on the glass, iv even seen him attack the . Theyre very aware of their diminutive figure and wont push their luck with larger fish. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. Sadly these Loaches remained largely unknown until their rediscovery in the 1990s. Leave adult hillstream loaches in the tank if the fry is at least 5 mm long. Aquarium Volume Calculator: How Many Gallons Is Your Tank? Although peaceful, most will defend territories, either to sequester feeding resources like a nice patch of algae, or to keep other fish away from a potential breeding site. Hillstream loaches are unique and fun to keep, but they do have some challenges. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Your typical hillstream loach won't grow larger than 2.5 inches. The hillstream loach (Sewellia lineolata) originates from Vietnam and is found in fast-flowing rivers and streams in Quang Nam, Laos, Binh Dinh, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Ngai. Balitorids spawn in a depression in the substrate alongside a pebble or rock. You can do this by adding smooth rock surfaces and plants. The head has a blunt and rounded shape with no barbels or teeth visible on the underside of their mouths. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. There are a number of potential hillstream loach tank mates you can choose from. In the wild, these fish feed on a variety of small insects and . Just give them plenty of food during the breeding season and watch what happens! The tank should be long and rectangular, giving your hillstream loach plenty of surface area to explore along the bottom of the tank.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-136{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}This surface area allows for fast water circulation and increases oxygen concentration. Similarly-shaped, less dominant loaches should be avoided because these fish will be bullied by hillstream loaches. They are hardy fish, which means they can be left out of the tank without being harmed by temperature changes or other factors. Feed the fry when they hatch. pH- 6.5 - 7.5, Temp - 18 - 27 degrees Celsius. This build makes it easy for them to resist currents while other fish are forced to use a significant amount of energy to stay in the same place. These Loaches can peacefully fill in that space at the bottom of your tank. Please. They live in the water and eat small insects so you can keep these pets with your other types of pet fish. The Hillstream Loach, (Beaufortia kweichowensis) is an extraordinary and visually stunning fish that often goes unnoticed in the aquarium hobby. Danios and rasbora species are two very solid choices that we can recommend with confidence. This is because the fish are kept in groups of 3-4 for them to thrive. All Possible Causes, Dropsy In Fish: Your Guide To Symptoms & Treatment, Hillstream loaches like the water to be a little on the colder side, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates, Dojo Loach Care 101 (aka Weather Or Pond Loach), Chevron Tang Care Guide: Lifespan, Diet, Mates & Tanks, Clown Tang Care: Diet, Tank Size, Mates and Breeding, Purple Tang 101: Diet, Tank Setup, Lifespan & Mates. They are best known because of their dazzling appearance and lack of aggression. If you are looking to add some diversity then snails and shrimp are great options, especially as your tank should already be set up to encourage biofilm growth. You should also place smooth pebbles or rocks on top of the substrate. One of the only downsides is that they are difficult to breed in captivity, though you may wish to take this on as a challenge. This 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) oddball fish looks like a miniature stingray because of its streamlined shape, flat underside, and horizontal fins that can tightly grip onto any smooth surface. As one of the most peaceful species of fish, the hillstream loach is suitable for community tanks and rarely shows signs of aggression. Substandard water quality and infected wounds are common causes of fungal infections. Notes from the owner: It's best to use sand or fine gravel as substrate in an aquarium with loaches and other types of bottom-dwellers. If you think its a little bit large considering how small these fish are, heres the reason: Author Note: These fish do best when kept in a group of 3-4. They will usually be front and center attaching themselves to the side of your aquarium, or on a rock surface. The male hillstream loach will then put together a nest by digging and sorting through the substrate. Follow the steps below to breed hillstream loaches: You should get a hillstream loach for your tank if youre looking for a unique fish and if youre prepared to provide the exact tank parameters that this fish needs to thrive. This appears on the fishs body as white spots and occurs due to poor water quality or the introduction of a new fish that already has ich. However, buying from a reputable breeder is safer than buying from an online marketplace because you can be certain that the fish was cared for properly. The Hillstream loach has a very short lifespan, which is why theyre not long-lived fish. This is the most important part of the Reticulated Hillstream Loach setup as they require fast-flowing, well-oxygenated waters without impurities. These fish are very sensitive to changes in water parameters and even small fluctuations can be deadly. It is important to retain all other water parameters and decorations exactly the same as their regular tank. Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. The underside of a hillstream loach works as a powerful ventral disc, enabling the fish to stick to surfaces in fast-flowing currents and climb vertical surfaces. Look for a tank with dimensions of at least 52 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 16 inches in height.Temperature, pH Range, and HardnessA water temperature of between 68 to 75F is ideal for hillstream loaches. Hillstream loaches generally do well in community setups, but the males sometimes spar with each other if the tank doesnt have enough cover. Kale leaves, spinach, raw cucumber slices, zucchini, and blanched lettuce leaves are foods that can be added to the tank during feeding. To treat ich, quarantine the affected fish in a separate tank and raise the temperature of the tank by two degrees to speed up the lifecycle of the parasite. With proper care, this peaceful fish makes a great choice for freshwater hobbyists in search of unusual aquarium inhabitants. This small, peaceful fish not only adds a unique element to any aquarium but also serves as an effective natural algae control. Make sure the airline tubing connected to the powerhead inlet is drawing in fresh air. Current Size - approximately 3-4cm (Grows to approximately 6cm) Sex - Un-sexed. Giving them a place to hide will help them feel comfortable and greatly reduce their stress levels. They are brown with beautiful dark brown and white mosaic-like markings on their bodies.Because hillstream loaches are easy to care for, fascinating to look at, and compatible with most other fish, these fish are ideal additions to a tropical freshwater aquarium..toc_container ol li a{}.toc_container ol li{font-size:16px;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:32px}.toc_container ol{}.toc_container{margin-bottom:1.75em;padding:.75em;background-color:#f8f9fc}.toc_container h4{margin:15px}.oftoc2col ol{-webkit-column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;column-count:2;-moz-column-fill:balance;column-fill:balance}.toc_container ol li a{color:#008bac}.toc_container ol li a:hover{text-decoration:none}.toc_container ol li{font-size:16px;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:30px}.toc_container{margin-top:1.25em;margin-bottom:2em;padding:1em;border:2px solid #f1f7f8;background-color:#fff;margin-left:0;margin-right:1%}.toc_container h4{margin-bottom:12px}TABLE OF CONTENTSHillstream Loach Facts & OverviewAppearance & BehaviorHillstream Loach CareHabitat and Tank RequirementsTank MatesDiet and FeedingBreedingShould You Get a Hillstream Loach for Your Aquarium?Hillstream Loach Facts & OverviewAdvertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-3-0');Scientific name:Sewellia lineolataCommon namesHillstream loach, lizardfish, flossensaugersDistribution:Vietnam, LaosSize:Up to 2.5 inchesLife expectancy:810 yearsColor:Light brown with white and dark brown markingsDiet:OmnivoreTemperament:Calm, docileMinimum tank size:55 gallonsTemperature:6874F (2023C)pH:6.57.5 pHHardness:10-12 dGHCare level:EasyBreeding:Egg-scattererOriginThe hillstream loach (Sewellia lineolata) originates from Vietnam and is found in fast-flowing rivers and streams in Quang Nam, Laos, Binh Dinh, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Ngai.This fish is common in the wild and can be seen swimming in strong currents, gliding over smooth rocks, and climbing vertical surfaces.Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide Please enable JavaScriptOtocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species ProfileThe hillstream loachs unique appearance and speedy swimming make this fish fun to watch.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_9',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-109{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}Adult Size & LifespanAdult hillstream loaches reach 2.5 inches in length. Algae and other food items growing on or encrusting the river rock is an essential food source that offers beneficial foraging activity. To reduce aggression levels, make sure to provide more decorations or aquarium plants to block line of sight. Parents of People, Pets, and Plants. Your Hillstream Loach will also appreciate the extra hiding spots. Fast Free Shippingon all orders over $79.99. Move the fry to your main aquarium when the fry are large enough to be left alone by big fish. Hillstream loaches are endemic to Southeast Asia and Australia, where most people have never heard of them. However, with enough preparation and the right tank environment, a patient, the knowledgeable aquarist can successfully breed a pair of hillstream loaches.To prevent predatory fish from eating the eggs and fry, use a separate aquarium for breeding purposes only. They often have blue lines running down their sides and white bellies with dark spots on them. There are of course exceptions to this general rule, as some species of catfish occupy the mid to surface water areas of an aquarium, such as the Glass Catfishes and the Upside-down Catfish. Were huge fans of this fish because of their unique appearance and easygoing temperament. Girl Talks Fish 207K subscribers Join Subscribe 107K views 2 years ago #plantedtank #aquarium #fishtank Looking a cool oddball fish that's easy to. Other objects like driftwood and various decorations can make nice compliments to the tank too. They just want to do their own thing! Another disease to look out for are fungal infections which arise due to bad water quality and infected wounds. However, they do have spines along the back of their heads and necks where these organs would be located in other fish species. Were more than happy to help you figure them out! The Reticulated Hillstream Loach should not be housed in a tropical aquarium setup with water temperatures consistently above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also feed them high protein foods such as Brine Shrimp to get them ready to mate. You will know when the male is courting the female as he will follow and chase her around the tank. Use a sponge or mesh intake to prevent hillstream loaches from wriggling into the filter.The ideal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5, and water hardness should be medium, around 12 dH maximum. These fish are naturally social and inquisitive, but hillstream loaches are shy around humans and will hide behind plants or inside caves when they sense human presence. Your email address will not be published. Hillstream loaches are small, with flat undersides and horizontal fins that give the fish the appearance of a miniature stingray. Add a loach-safe antibacterial treatment to the tank to treat skinny disease. The trick to keeping these fish happy and healthy is to invest in test kits due to their sensitivity to changing water parameters. With the right diet and water quality, hillstream loaches live in captivity for ten years or more. Their vibrant colors and algae eating ability have made this loach very popular. They are usually at least 100 feet below ground but can go much farther underground if necessary. Breed Type - Egg Layer. Navigating Potty Training: What to Expect. These fish are sometimes called catfish or even mini-stingray (we can assure you they are neither). We think the hillstream loach is a very beautiful fish. Providing hiding places for them is of utmost importance. Hillstream Loaches are notoriously difficult to breed in home aquariums. Origin - Malaysian. You can usually buy juveniles for around $15-20. It has a streamlined shape, smooth body, wing-like pelvic and pectoral fins, and flat underside. Theyll get along very well with reticulated hillstream loaches. They are relatively small in comparison to other Loaches and will reach 2.5-3 inches as an adult. Water type: kH 10-15. Hillstream loaches like the water to be a little on the colder side so that rules out a lot of tropical freshwater fish. These are versatile fish that can be kept in various aquarium setups. But they dont just look really neat, theyre also quite easy to keep. Hillstream loaches are difficult to breed. The best tank mates for hillstream loaches are listed below. The Ultimate Guide to the Bamboo Shrimp (Breeding, Size, Care), Yoyo Loach Species Information: Size, Tank Mates & More, Kuhli Loach: What To Know Before Buying This Loach, The 17 Best Types of Plecos For Beginners, African Cichlid 101: Care Guide, Types, Behavior & More, The Ultimate Bumblebee Goby Care Guide: Diet, Tank Mates and More. Suckers or Hillstream Loach like fastflowing well oxygenated water and are interesting to watch as they cling to aquarium glass. The loach was described as Gastromyzon leveretti kweichowensis by P.W. Their intricate body shape and pattern make them truly one-of-a-kind. Theyre also a little too small to be much of a nuisance. They can all be found in the fast flowing rivers of Vietnam including Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Laos, Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai. The Hillstream Loach is perfect for a sandy-bottom tank stocked with peaceful fish. Because they dont require large amounts of space or high-maintenance routines. Only registered users can write reviews. Buy a power filter that replenishes the water at least 15 times per hour to mimic the fast currents of the fishs habitat. These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? Well get into the details a bit further on in the guide, but that will have the biggest impact on their lifespan. They reach the subadult status, where they are around 2-2.5 inches long, at around 7 months after hatching. Their penchant for strong fast-moving water is the main reason why they have such a unique look! Their size does not take away from their beautiful patterning. Hillstream loaches are omnivores so they will eat both meaty foods like pellets as well as vegetables such as snails & worms. These barbels are very short and small though and can be hard to notice from certain angles. While caring for these fish in the home aquarium, you can follow the instructions to maintain the water parameters that are suitable for them. Always compare the recommended temperature ranges first just to be safe! Fascinating to watch as they latch onto the substrate, Compatible with many smaller tropical fish, Cannot tolerate spikes in water parameters, Water hardness should be at around 10-12dGH. Like all fish, this lifespan range can be impacted quite a bit depending on the level of care they receive. Using a powerhead to create a current in your freshwater aquarium is not just for their preference either. In your aquarium, they will happily scrape off anything that grows on your fish tank walls, rocks, driftwood, and plant leaves. Mature aquariums with lots of algae-covered rocks offer a good food source for hillstream loaches. In the wild, these fish are used to a lot of water movement and a rocky substrate. The tank should be long and rectangular, giving your hillstream loach plenty of surface area to explore along the bottom of the tank. As mentioned before, biological matter such as detritus and algae that forms on river rock makes up a major portion of its diet. So apparently hillstream loach breed in caridina shrimp parameter didn't know that wasn't even trying to breed them, was . A range of 65-80F (20-27C) is acceptable, but at higher temperatures, they may be more susceptible to stress and illnesses. These fish do have barbels which are part of the reason why some people mistake them for a funky-looking catfish. That may be found near riverbanks where this type of fish lives during its native habitat (the Amazon River basin). Hillstream loaches are found only in caves and tunnels, which means that theyre not found in streams. Reticulated hillstream loaches (Sewellia lineolata) are one of the coolest-looking algae eaters, but theres a lot of conflicting information about their care requirements that makes people hesitant to try them. Reticulated loaches are members of a large family of 202 different Hillstream loach varieties that are found in decreasing numbers in southeast Asia, China, and parts of India.. They have a nice tapered shape (kind of like a torpedo) that allows them to cut through and withstand water that moves quickly. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The male wiggles about a bit to excavate a little hollow in the gravel. The first step to take is making sure your set-up supports the growth of biofilm on large surface areas. Reticulated hillstream loaches also have wing-like pectoral and pelvic fins that they use to move but also secure themselves onto rocks and various surfaces. Hillstream Loaches live for up to eight years in the wild. If not, remove the adults. Hillstream loaches look very different from each other. Also, keep a tight lid on the aquarium since they have the ability to climb up glass walls and escape. You can also use algae wafers if your tank is not yet fully mature or you have a lack of biofilm growth. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They have a very heavy amount of algae in their natural diet which is partly why they enjoy hanging out on rock surfaces so much (they are great places for algae to grow). This is an excellent oddball fish to add to a tropical community Read More . You should stick to smaller, peaceful companions. Since these fish spend so much time scouring the substrate, youll want to go with something soft and sandy. The Hillstream Loach grows to around 2.5 and 3 inches long. Add a loach-safe antibacterial treatment to the tank to treat skinny disease.Fungal InfectionFungal infections are characterized by fluffy, white growths on the affected fishs head, body, and fins. The flattened body is a special adaptation that gives the Reticulated Hillstream Loach an extremely hydrodynamic shape. Hillstream Loach, also known as Reticulated Hillstream Loach, originates from Vietnam and can be found in fast-flowing waters located within Laos; Quang Ngai; Thua Thien-Hue; Binh Dinh, and Quang Nam. They have dark brown-black stripes embellished with lighter cream-yellow spots and wiggles. The hillstream loach has a highly patterned and streamlined body that is built to grip tightly onto rocks and withstand rushing rapids. They look like a small stingray and have a remarkably streamlined body. They are popular because they are one of the best-looking bottom dwellers around. Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species Profile, Yoyo Loach Care Guide: Size, Breeding, and More, The Clown Loach Care Guide: A Playful Bottom Dweller For Community Tanks, Marine Aquarium Societies of North America, Hillstream loach, lizardfish, flossensaugers, Light brown with white and dark brown markings. Everything Fishkeepings articles and videos are intended to be used for a general nature only. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Hillstream loaches are also pretty easy to keep in an aquarium because they dont need large amounts of food or spacejust rock or gravel! The Reticulated Hillstream Loach should not be housed in a tropical aquarium setup with water temperatures consistently above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They will require plenty of space and food, and their small size makes them hard to keep in an aquarium. All rights reserved. The best aquarists make this a habit because they know its far easier/safer to catch a level shift early on than deal with it later. Since these Read More , The Kuhli Loach is a small loach that lives at the bottom of the tank. Because hillstream loaches are scaleless, these fish are susceptible to skin conditions. The hillstream loach is an awesome looking freshwater fish that doesnt get the attention it deserves. You should try to replicate this in your aquarium. These make great surfaces for them to rest on and also tend to accumulate some algae over time that they can snack on. They are characterized by fluffy, white-looking growths on the Loach. The Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a curious fish of extraordinary beauty. The base coloration is a light grayish/yellow and thick black stripes go in random directions all over their body. A female hillstream loach will become round and full-bodied during the breeding season.Typical BehaviorAs one of the most peaceful species of fish, the hillstream loach is suitable for community tanks and rarely shows signs of aggression.Male hillstream loaches can be territorial and occasionally engage in belly-to-belly fights.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1-0');Hillstream loaches are fast swimmers and easily out-swim bigger fish in a shared tank.These fish are naturally social and inquisitive, but hillstream loaches are shy around humans and will hide behind plants or inside caves when they sense human presence.When a hillstream loach becomes comfortable in its environment, the fish will stick to walls and rocks in the tank, eating algae off these surfaces.Hillstream Loach CareAdvertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_12',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}Hillstream loaches are easy to care for as long as these fish live in the right water parameters.Replicating the fast-flowing currents in the hillstream loachs natural environment will prevent the fish from becoming stressed.As grazers and omnivores, hillstream loaches eat a diet of algae, biofilm, fish food, and live foods.DiseaseBecause hillstream loaches are scaleless, these fish are susceptible to skin conditions.