Compatibilty: Baby Polys with Hillstream loachs

[Sidrock]

Hi guys,

I have 5 baby bichirs (4 Endli and 1 Ornate, all around 4.5") in a grow-out. Soon, these 5 will join a 8" Del in a larger 55Gal grow-out.

I feed these guys Hikari Sinking Gold

I really really need a fish which can finish any leftovers as it a pain to remove leftover sinking pellets.

I know plecos are out of the question... Will hillstream loaches serve this purpose (at least till the bichirs are babies)?

If not, do you have any other suggestions?

Please advise.

 

[stevezx2002]

Hilstream loaches dont really eat leftovers, and I think they are a little small for polys. If you can find larger Clown loaches they might work better for you.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

How about some clown loaches?

 

[JamesF]

Hilstreams need cold water and lots of current and oxygen in their tanks. Not really a bichir type setup. I'd suspect the bichirs would probably try to eat them pretty quickly as well.

 

[Sidrock]

Thanks guy..

So, it's a definite NO to the hillstream loach.

I will try to check if I can get a good deal for Clown Loaches..(They're a bit expensive in my neck of the wood..)

Will YoYo loaches be a close substitute?

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

larger yoyo loach, corys and SAE should work

 

[mike_sema]

What you need is (Hoplosternum thoracatum) or common name porthole,heplo catfish I have had them for a clean up crew for alot of my tanks in the past a great fish

 

[Sidrock]

Also... will a couple of 3-4 inch Synodontis sp. also work?

(I have a 4ft Malawi tank currently being cycled... the Syno can be moved there when it's large enough.)

 

[JamesF]

I always keep synos with my bichirs.

 

[Sidrock]

I always keep synos with my bichirs.

That's great!

The market here (Bombay/Mumbai, India) is currently flooded with 3 inch Synos.. These should be easy to get and cheap.