
They will also eat:
- sinking fish pellets, flakes, algae wafers,
- spirulina,
- a vegetable matter like blanched spinach, zucchini, cucumbers, kale, mashed peas, etc.
What do hillstream loaches eat?
Like other loaches, the hillstream loach is omnivorous. Its favorite food is nonetheless algae that grow on the rocks in your aquarium. The fish will continually snack on the algae. It thus should be seen as the cherry on top of your loach’s diet rather than its main feed.
What size tank does a hillstream loach need?
Hillstream loaches grow to lengths of approximately 2-3 inches. The small size makes it easy for the fish to hide in crevices and rocks. The ideal tank size for your hillstream loach is one that is at least 30 gallons. This is because the fish are kept in groups of 3-4 for them to thrive.
How often should I change the water for hillstream loaches?
The loaches are used to clean water in their natural habitats. It would be best if you had a water change of at least 30% every week to mirror the water quality in your tank. Like other loaches, the hillstream loach is omnivorous.
What is the best water for a reticulated hillstream loach?
The base water parameters for a reticulated hillstream loach are fairly straightforward. These fish do better in cooler water which is useful if you plan on keeping them with other species. They are reasonably hardy which means you do have some wiggle-room, but it’s best to keep them in water with the following levels.

Do hillstream loaches eat vegetables?
What do Hillstream Loaches Eat? In the wild, they consume small aquatic crustaceans that live at the river bottom, algae, and small organisms living on underwater surfaces. In your aquarium, they will happily scrape off anything that grows on your fish tank walls, rocks, driftwood, and plant leaves.
How many hillstream loaches should be kept together?
Author Note: These fish do best when kept in a group of 3-4. Also, their oxygen and water flow requirements mean it's simply not possible to provide them with the conditions they need in a small tank.
How many gallons do hillstream loaches need?
One hillstream loach needs a minimum aquarium size of around 10 gallons. And the recommended water temperature of the tank is around 65 to 75-degree F. If the tank water has a sufficient amount of oxygen, it can easily withstand warmer temperatures for a few hours.
How big can hillstream loaches get?
Reticulated hillstream loach is black and yellow, spotted along the head and back. Spots run together along the sides to form long stripes. Body is dorsoventrally flattened, and the pectoral and pelvic fins are wide and round. This species grows to a maximum length of 2.2 inches (5.7 cm).
Do hillstream loaches eat brown algae?
4:196:52Otocinclus vs Hillstream Loach – Which is Better? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLoaches. Their food preferences. Also come into play when it comes to the most important categoryMoreLoaches. Their food preferences. Also come into play when it comes to the most important category which is how well do they eat algae. And i was surprised.
Do hillstream loaches need flow?
To keep hillstream loaches happy, the tank does not have to be overly complicated but it should have some specific features: fast flowing water to allow algae to grow in strong lighting, darker protected areas with slower flow and even some areas with little or no flow. Variation is the key.
Do hillstream loaches eat bloodworms?
Diet / Fish Food : Herbivore, but the Hillstream Loach will accept meaty foods. Diatoms in the tank as well as algae wafers as a treat are good algae foods, but for the meaty foods, mysis shrimp and bloodworms are good foods.
Do hillstream loaches like caves?
Some of the most suitable plants for a hillstream loach tank are water wisteria, java moss, dwarf aquarium lily, and crinum. Smooth caves, old pieces of driftwood, and clay ornaments are good hiding places for hillstream loaches to hide.
Do hillstream loaches eat hair algae?
While hillstream loaches are great at consuming flat types of algae, you may also need a more nimble-fingered algae eater that can reach into narrow gaps or tear off chunks of fuzzy algae.
Do hillstream loaches have teeth?
They are normally small, and either wormlike or chunky with a flattened belly. Their mouth is sub-terminal (pointing downwards) without teeth, they do however, like the cyprinids, have pharyngeal teeth in the throat.
Will hillstream loach eat snails?
These are freshwater fish and are suitable for community tanks because of their peaceful nature - they are totally safe to keep with other non-aggressive fish, snails, shrimp, and live plants.
Will Hillstream Loach eat snails?
These are freshwater fish and are suitable for community tanks because of their peaceful nature - they are totally safe to keep with other non-aggressive fish, snails, shrimp, and live plants.
Will Hillstream Loach eat shrimp?
Feeding. Hillstream loaches are omnivores and grazers, so they will feed on algae and biofilm in your tank. They also like to eat most kinds of live foods, such as insect larvae, tubifex, daphnia, and frozen or live brine shrimp. They will also eat fish flakes or pellets, as well as algae wafers.
Do Hillstream loaches have teeth?
They are normally small, and either wormlike or chunky with a flattened belly. Their mouth is sub-terminal (pointing downwards) without teeth, they do however, like the cyprinids, have pharyngeal teeth in the throat.
How big do butterfly loaches get?
Average Adult Size: 2.5 – 3.5 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) Average Purchase Size: 1 - 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm)
Where do hillstream loaches live?
Hillstream loaches inhabit the fast-flowing streams of the tropical forests of Asia. They are also found in China and the Indian subcontinent. Here, they are generally confined to the fast-moving mountain streams that have strong currents.
How big is a hillstream loach?
Hillstream Loach. Hillstream loaches grow to lengths of approximately 2-3 inches. The small size makes it easy for the fish to hide in crevices and rocks. The ideal tank size for your hillstream loach is one that is at least 30 gallons. This is because the fish are kept in groups of 3-4 for them to thrive.
How many loaches can you have in a tank?
Hillstream loaches are calm and peaceful fish. Even so, you should limit the number of the same fish in your tank to 3-4 since too many of them can lead to issues as they become territorial. When choosing tankmates for the loaches, opt for non-aggressive fish species, shrimps and snails.
What is the family of loach?
The hillstream loach is classified under the balitoridae family that is also called the river loach family. The fish in this family have shapes that differ from those of the classic fish species to adapt to the water movement in their natural habitats.
When did the Hillstream Loach come out?
The hillstream loach was introduced into aquariums in the mid-2000s. Since then, the loach’s unique look and outgoing temperament have made it among the most popular choices for aquariums. You cannot get tired of looking at the fish, and it will introduce a unique look and shape into your tank.
What to use for loach tank?
Fine gravel and sand for the tank’s substrate. This is because rough sand can harm the smooth bodies of the loaches as most of them swim at the bottom of your tank.
Do loaches climb rocks?
In their natural habitats, most hillstream loaches will spend time under rocks or slowly scavenging the riverbeds for food. They will also climb overhanging and vertical surfaces in the rivers and glide over smooth stones more easily than other fish species .
Why is it important to feed Hillstream loach?
The feed should also be enough for everyone so that other tank mates do not eat portions of slow-moving hillstreams.
What is a hillstream loach?
Hillstream Loach is a small freshwater fish that is also known as Borneo Sucker, Gastromyzon Punctulatus or butterfly loach. It belongs to the. Skip to content. AngelFish.
How big do Hillstream loach fish get?
Hillstream loach grows to sizes from 3 to 6 cm, maximum – up to 7 cm. These fishes can live up to 3 years. They have a peculiar body shape – it is flat, narrowed from below, with rounded fins. Due to the fan-shaped pectoral and ventral fins, Hillstream loach can swim well against the tide.
Why do you need a filter for Hillstream loach?
You should install a powerful filter and compressor to enrich the water with oxygen because Hillstream loach likes to be near them, as the current reminds them of their natural habitats.
What color are loaches?
Depending on the mood, the coloring of these loaches may vary. In a calm state, it is brownish with milky white spots. When the fish is frightened, it brightens, spots on the body merge with the main color. With the manifestation of aggression, a black band appears on her ridge, and the fins darken.
What do fish eat?
The basis of their diet is chopped vegetables – lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, which must be put to the bottom in a clay plate so that the fish find them faster. As a live feed, a tubule, small cyclops, bloodworms, artemia are used. It is advised to give them frozen.
Can you sell Hillstream loaches in pet stores?
Hillstream loaches that are sold in pet stores are born in their natural habitats and then caught for sale, but they easily get used to the conditions of aquariums, if they are kept in their natural-looking environment. Table of Contents. 1Description. 2Selection of Hillstream loach for your aquarium.
