Borneo origin Hill stream?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

BuffaloPolypteridae

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 5, 2013
3,011
7
0
Buffalo
I came across some hillstream loaches from Borneo and couldn't resist trying one when the shopkeep had said that they are not like other hills in that they live in warmer water, so they do well in tropical comms. It is dark, black really with bright yellow pin point spots. Quite an attractive one, I really hope the LFS was correct, that's why I'm double checking on here. Are there hillstream loaches that come from warm waters?

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Bump, I'd like to get more of these guys but if im being fed incorrect info then I won't.. does anyone have knowledge of these supposedly warmer water hillstreams?

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Very curious about this, always liked them but none of my tanks are currently cool enough.
Any pics of the one you're talking about? Found one type on the net that's supposedly adaptable to warm and cool tanks.
spotted_hillstream_loach_130627a2_w0640.jpg

It's listed as a "rare and new" Spotted Hill Stream Loach.

I was trying to copy the picture on the site ... didn't work ... Found this on *****************.
 
I do not have a pic of mine yet, but he looks just like those so I assume it is one of them. I hope I wasn't fed a line of bull, these guys are awesome and I'd love more of em

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Bump

Mines doing well still, seems to have gotten a bit thicker. Idk if it was under fed in the LFS and just munched on algae or they grow really quick. I'm hoping to keep these guys in my main tank too at some point, cdoes anyone have exp keeping Borneo hill stream loaches in warm water long term?

I have tried with a retic but it got a really bad case of ick (as do all the fish from that store) and didn't make it through treatment, so this is new ground for me.

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Well its still doing good, with a datnoid and albino Senegal bichir, anyone else see these around? Its spotted, leopoldi-esque pattern and has grown a bit under these conditions as well.

Seems to be thriving

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
i think you got gastromyzon ctenocephalus based on the description. all "sucker" hillstream loaches come from warm or cool very fast flowing rivers in southeast asia. The key is not so much temperature as it is aeration, circulation, and diet. hillstream loaches live in white water environments feeding on algae and microbes growing on the rocks. The reason cold water is always recommended is because it holds more dissolved oxygen so you can get away with less water circulation. While temperature does play an important factor i see no reason a lower end tropical (mid to low 70s) cannot house them provided very high water aeration and circulation, albiet it would be easier with temps in the high 60s. Also be aware that hillstream loaches have weak, toothless jaws and will not rasp on large pellets like plecos will unless the pellet is very soft. One good way to ensure they get food is to place a container with tank water and smooth round stones in the sun, once the rocks have a coating of algae add the rock to the tank. rotate with other rocks to keep the supply constant. It seems to me the biggest concern is your tankmates. Gastromyzon rarely exceed 2 inches in length and even if i'm worng on the species the largest hillstream loach is beaufortia leveretti, which will rarely attain 4 inches in length. Your mini monsters will soon have no trouble eating the loaches, and the datnoid and bichir likely prefer warmer, slower water conditions then the hillstream loaches.

heres a link with a ton of information

http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane
 
They are totally capable of being eaten, but they don't get any attention from either of them, so all is well thus far. The dat is moving to my big tank soon anyway and a school of corydoras is taking its place. I know a lot about these but I haven't seen anywhere talking about warm water hill streams like the guy at he LFS had said. I know they don't get big, they're just the glass cleaners in my grow out tank

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Thanks for the idea about the rocks in the sun, I have some of those going (after being sanitized)

I've also been utilizing this blue light that grows algae like a plague, the hill stream is still doing well, and eating it up! Going to make a trip out to the same LFS to see if they have any others for sure

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom