Parents of People, Pets, and Plants. Butterfly hillstream loach Care Guide: Diet, Tank Mates, Diseases There are four main hillstream loach aquarium setups you can consider: 1. Customer Favorites, Marine Invertebrates - Save 25%, Popular Value Packs, Marine Invertebrates, LiveAquaria Certified Captive Grown Corals, Captive-Bred Freshwater Fish and Invertebrates. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. The hillstream loach is popular for its appearance. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The hillstream loach (scientific name: Sewellia lineolata) is from the Cobitoidea superfamily and Cypriniformes order. 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. Fast Free Shippingon all orders over $79.99. Hillstream loaches are endemic to Southeast Asia and Australia, where most people have never heard of them. They were introduced into the aquarium hobby in the mid-2000s and quickly became one of the most popular Loaches around. All rights reserved. pH- 6.5 - 7.5, Temp - 18 - 27 degrees Celsius. So, be sure to perform regular water changes and closely monitor your aquarium for signs of ammonia or nitrite spikes. They are known for their very unique scale pattern which makes them look like the word Yoyo is written all over them. Move the fry to your main aquarium when the fry are large enough to be left alone by big fish. Shop The Tech Den Australia for a wide selection of aquarium products including Suckers - Hillstream Loach - In Store Pick Up Only. Because hillstream loaches lack scales, these fish are intolerant to even the smallest water changes. Navigating Potty Training: What to Expect. 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. When it comes to diseases, the ones to look out for are any skin conditions and common freshwater diseases such as ich. Care Guide for Hillstream Loaches - Aquarium Co-Op With the hillstream loach in particular, your biggest focus should be on their water parameters if you want them to live long and happy lives. Make sure to use a tight-fitting aquarium hood or top because hillstream loaches can easily climb out of your aquarium. Hillstream Loach Care Guide & Species Profile - Fishkeeping World Most hillstream loaches spend the daylight hours latched onto the side of the tank or searching for something to eat. Hillstream loach care is all about making sure they have the proper water parameters and tank conditions. $32.99. The eggs incubate for a couple of weeks. A high oxygen tank is required to keep Hillstream Loach at their best. Live plants provide a good hiding place for hillstream loaches and are essential for reducing the waters nitrate content. If the fish successfully mate, the female will release her eggs into the nest, and the male will fertilize the eggs with a fluid known as milt. Availability: Out of stock. This is the one thing about breeding hillstream loaches that is actually fairly convenient. Hillstream loaches are fast swimmers and easily out-swim bigger fish in a shared tank. Middle- or top-dwelling fish are the most suitable tank mates for a hillstream loach because the fish wont invade the hillstream loachs space. You should only buy a hillstream loach if youre committed to looking after this fish by maintaining the right tank setup. Reading this will make you ready to purchase one yourself! 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. The best tank mates for hillstream loaches are listed below. Hillstream loaches are very peaceful fish that want to mind their own business. Any kind of fish tank filter will work, as long as its appropriately sized for your aquarium and the other inhabitants can handle the flow. Originally found in tropical regions of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, hillstream loaches live in shallow riffles, river rapids, and slower-moving stream pools in between. Feed the fish an extra pinch of food.The male will chase the female, beginning a courtship. Chinese Algae Eater 101: Types, Size, Behavior & More, Neon Tetra Care Guide: Colors, Price and More, Top 15+ Freshwater Aquarium Sharks For All Tanks, Top 20 Algae Eaters: Snails, Shrimp & Fish That Clean Tanks, Types of Molly Fish: Rare Colors and More, Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Tiger Hillstream Loach. When it comes to sexing hillstream loaches, the females usually have a wider head and plumper body, whereas the males have a slightly jagged silhouette at the beginning of their pectoral fins near their shoulders. Most of the time, juveniles are sold in the fish stores and it can be hard to sex them, so buy a group of six or more if you want to breed them. Skinny disease is a common bacterial disease that causes a fish to rapidly lose weight, even if the fish appears to be eating normally. They can all be found in the fast flowing rivers of Vietnam including Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Laos, Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai. 21 watchers 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). Everything else can be a game of trial and error though! These peaceful Loaches thrive in community tanks and will clean up your tank as they go. The Hillstream Loach is perfect for a sandy-bottom tank stocked with peaceful fish. Hillstream loaches grow to lengths of approximately 2-3 inches. $22.38. She has always been captivated by all kinds of marine life and particularly enjoys studying the effects of the external environment on the functioning marine world. The hillstream loach has a highly patterned and streamlined body that is built to grip tightly onto rocks and withstand rushing rapids. 3 Reticulated Hillstream Loach(Sewellia lineolata) Live Fish 2Day Fedex Shipping. There are a number of ways you can accomplish this, but the best is by using a powerhead to create a consistent and adjustable current. Similarly-shaped, less dominant loaches should be avoided because these fish will be bullied by hillstream loaches.Middle- or top-dwelling fish are the most suitable tank mates for a hillstream loach because the fish wont invade the hillstream loachs space. Goldfish Tank. Breeding hillstream loaches is definitely possible but is known to be quite challenging. Girl Talks Fish 207K subscribers Join Subscribe 107K views 2 years ago #plantedtank #aquarium #fishtank Looking a cool oddball fish that's easy to. Its scientific classification is as follows: Kingdom: Animalia. Current Size - approximately 3-4cm (Grows to approximately 6cm) Sex - Un-sexed. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once you have selected a healthy male and female for breeding you can place them in this separate tank and raise the temperature to 78F. Exceeding this can lead to possible scuffles over territory. Ensure the tank has a tight lid to prevent hillstream loaches from scaling the tanks glass walls and escaping. The tank shouldnt house aggressive fish species that are larger than hillstream loaches. The hillstream loach is part of a family of calm, peaceful loachesnative to fast-moving streams and rivers in Asia. The male hillstream loach will then put together a nest by digging and sorting through the substrate. Hailing from fast-moving streams of Asia, the Reticulated Hillstream Loach requires an established aquarium that replicates conditions found in these environments. They have dark brown-black stripes embellished with lighter cream-yellow spots and wiggles. However, they have a very slow growth rate. We prefer to stick with a combination of plants and smooth rocks but dont hesitate to do a little decorating! The female may now choose to ignore the male and go about her business or she will stick by him while he digs in the substrate, forming a nest. Mature aquariums with lots of algae-covered rocks offer a good food source for hillstream loaches. However, hillstream loaches become lonely when theyre housed alone, and a tank with enough space for six or more loaches is ideal. The hillstream loaches or river loaches are a family, the Balitoridae, [3] of small fish from South, Southeast and East Asia. Aquarium Volume Calculator: How Many Gallons Is Your Tank? However, they have a very slow growth rate. Juvenile hillstream loaches cost $12$15 depending on the location of the buyer.Hillstream loaches that are sold on marketplaces like eBay are often cheaper. The Hillstream Loach, (Beaufortia kweichowensis) is an extraordinary and visually stunning fish that often goes unnoticed in the aquarium hobby. Not only are they very nice to look at but they make an excellent cleanup crew for your aquarium. You dont want to have a lot of algae in your tank, and there will rarely be enough to sustain these fish. Common Name - Borneo Sucker, Hillstream Loach, Myer's Hillstream loach, Butterfly Pleco or Chinese Hillstream Loach. This soft green algae will act as a base diet for them, although you can add some other sources of vegetation such as kale leaves, cucumber and lettuce every now and then. Hillstream Loach: Ultimate Guide (Care, Diet, Breeding & More) You can also add in some vegetables for them like kale or spinach. You can do this by adding smooth rock surfaces and plants. These make great surfaces for them to rest on and also tend to accumulate some algae over time that they can snack on. Hillstream loaches make great pets and are easy to keep. Hillstream loaches are small, with flat undersides and horizontal fins that give the fish the appearance of a miniature stingray. They are useful in maintaining algae levels whilst also getting along with many tropical free-swimming fish. Make sure the airline tubing connected to the powerhead inlet is drawing in fresh air. Add a pinch of food to the tank per day and decrease this amount the following day if theres leftover food.BreedingHillstream loaches are difficult to breed. Hillstream loaches are freshwater species that love to swim and stay in shallow waters that are fast moving. The fins are usually brown or blackish in color. Were more than happy to help you figure them out! In the wild Hillstream Loaches are omnivorous and enjoy eating algae biofilms and microscopic phytoplankton, bacteria and fungi, in addition to invertebrates such as zooplankton. In our opinion, what they really appreciate is a stable pH (preferably from 7.0-7.8) and good water quality. The habitat is plain, with minimal vegetation and plenty of big rocks spread evenly throughout a sandy substrate. The male wiggles about a bit to excavate a little hollow in the gravel. The Saddleback Hillstream Loach (Homaloptera orthogoniata) is a very rare and beautiful species that is native to both Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo.It is known for its multi-colored brown, tan, and red coloration. Hillstream Loach Care Guide: Tank Mates, Size, Breeding Each additional Loach should be given at least 10 gallons. 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. Some people keep them for about a year before selling them. Catfish generally are excellent tankmates for a wide variety of other species of fish. Your email address will not be published. Please. 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. They are hardy fish, which means they can be left out of the tank without being harmed by temperature changes or other factors. Kale leaves, spinach, raw cucumber slices, zucchini, and blanched lettuce leaves are foods that can be added to the tank during feeding. These fish dont need a lot of attention as long as you have their tank and water conditions right. Most of the time they will stay at the bottom of the tank and only venture higher up when they feel comfortable enough to suck on the glass of the tank. Hillstream loaches are tiny after hatching, and you should cover pumps and filters in the tank to prevent the fry from being sucked into this equipment.Follow the steps below to breed hillstream loaches:Place a healthy male and female hillstream loach in your separate feeding tank.Increase the temperature of the tank to 78F and perform a cool water change to provoke breeding. The unique physical features of the Reticulated Hillstream Loach reflect life adapted to fast-flowing streams. Hillstream Loach: An Unusual and Hardy Fish - Sapy Use testing kits to ensure that ammonia levels remain at 0 ppm and that nitrate levels never increase beyond 20 ppm. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Look for a tank with dimensions of at least 52 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 16 inches in height. Get the latest information on Events,Sales and Offers. Water in the tank should be clean and well-oxygenated, with a fast flow. *FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquatic life orders $229 and up. With the right diet and water quality, hillstream loaches live in captivity for ten years or more. This is why its usually best to keep their numbers at 3-4 in a 50-gallon tank. 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. Sewellia lineolata is currently considered vulnerable under the IUCN redlist primarily due to habitat destruction. Borneo suckers prefer a cooler water temperature, between 20 and 24o. To prevent injury and allow for easy digging, choose a fine gravel or sand substrate. The head has a blunt and rounded shape with no barbels or teeth visible on the underside of their mouths. Dwarf Chain Loach. The male will chase the female, beginning a courtship. Recommended Tank Parameters. Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Sewellia lineolata: Tropical Fish for Despite having specific water requirements, hillstream loaches are beautiful, helpful additions to a home aquarium. Some have spots on their fins that may be orange or red as well! These fish have few-to-no scales and sucker-type mouths.You can distinguish between males and females by looking at the fishs head formation.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Males have more pronounced heads than females, while females heads run into their pectoral fins, giving the fish a round appearance.A stressed hillstream loach will lose its color. The males will try to attract the females by doing a little mating dance. One interesting behavior to watch out for is when they tussle belly to belly with each other. pH level range: 6.5 to 7.5. Hillstream loach species are small, colorful fish that come in various colors and patterns. However, its worth noting that these fish can exhibit territorial behavior in certain situations. Once fry have hatched it takes around 1 year for them to become fully grown. As mentioned before, biological matter such as detritus and algae that forms on river rock makes up a major portion of its diet. Using a powerhead to create a current in your freshwater aquarium is not just for their preference either. . Hillstream Loaches will live for between 6-8 years. The fry should be just fine in the same tank as the parents but they should not be introduced to the main tank until they are matured as they are at risk of being eaten by bigger predators. Plus, its unusual body is covered with light-colored spots and dark brown striping patterns. Feed the fry when they hatch. Borneo suckers prefer a cooler water temperature, between 20 and 24o. The Streamer Loaches long tails are able to reach up to 12 inches long! While Reticulated Hillstream Loach can tolerate colder water temperatures down into the low 60s F, they can do well in aquariums with water temperatures all they way up to the mid 70s F. The warmer the aquarium water the more important that the hobbyist maintain high levels of dissolved oxygen and significant water flow. This species is unbothered by other species. Youll probably spend a good amount of time just staring at them! A stressed hillstream loach will lose its color. Hillstream loaches have unique appearances that make them stand out in any tank setup. We think the hillstream loach is a very beautiful fish. The recommended tank size for a hillstream loach is around 50 gallons. 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.Appearance & BehaviorThe hillstream loach is popular for its appearance. The Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a curious fish of extraordinary beauty. They dont want to start trouble with any other critters and prefer to spend their time scavenging for something to eat or latched onto a rock surface (or the glass in your tank). Theres something about watching them do their thing thats so addictive. If you see them making a nest then there is a chance the female will release her eggs into the nest and if this occurs, the male will fertilize the eggs with milt. While caring for these fish in the home aquarium, you can follow the instructions to maintain the water parameters that are suitable for them. Its quite common to see all of your hillstream loaches attached to the glass of your tank without a care in the world. (Sewellia lineolata) Starting at $14.99. Hillstream Loach (Sewellia Lineolata) - Care Guide - Tankarium In their natural habitat, a hillstream loach will spend their time either camped out on a rock or slowly working their way across the bottom looking for food. You will need a 50 gallon tank with a strong pump. A freshwater tank of at least 50 gallons is required for a hillstream loach. Stream loaches come in a variety of colors, although their coloring can range from reddish brown to turquoise. Opens in a new window or tab. You should try to replicate this in your aquarium. Because hillstream loaches are scaleless, these fish are susceptible to skin conditions. They are found in the wild in limestone caves and can be identified by their small size (theyre only about 3 inches long), black skin coloration, large eyes, and an orange stripe on their bodies. The water is very high in oxygen content due to the high water flow so you will need to set up a tank that replicates these conditions as closely as possible. If you get two, the stronger one may bully the weaker one over food or territory. Suitable materials to use for hiding places include wood, rocks, slate, clean plastic pipe, and aquatic plants. There arent any big challenges you have to deal with when it comes to hillstream loach care, just maintain the appropriate water levels and theyll be good to go! Are you looking for a bottom dweller that is sure to steal the spotlight from any free swimming fish? The complete lack of water flow can actually even kill them in some situations. The appearance of the Hillstream Loach is what makes them so attractive to many in the fishkeeping hobby. Males are usually larger than females and often display stronger colouration. The eggs are often deposited out of sight, usually among larger pebbles or rocks. This is because the fish are kept in groups of 3-4 for them to thrive. However, these fish are some of the most popular and widely-available loach species for sale today. Hillstream Loaches live for up to eight years in the wild. Hillstream loaches arent difficult to breed either.