They are small bottom-dwelling freshwater fish from Asia and there are about 500 species in 37 genera. All rights reserved. You will need a 50 gallon tank with a strong pump. 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. Being small in size allows hillstream loaches to scavenge foods in crevices between rocks and plants on the riverbed. 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. Theyre very aware of their diminutive figure and wont push their luck with larger fish. Their native habitat tends to have lots of rocks and is sparser in vegetation. Dwarf Chain Loach. Borneo suckers should be offered some vegetable matter. Care instructions, tank mates, size info, you name it. After raising the temperature slightly, perform a cool 25% water change. Breed Type - Egg Layer. pH- 6.5 - 7.5, Temp - 18 - 27 degrees Celsius. The ideal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5, and water hardness should be medium, around 12 dH maximum. This fascinating, peaceful fish is primarily an algae and biofilm grazer that is an excellent candidate for the mature subtropical and tropical aquarium. A range of 65-80F (20-27C) is acceptable, but at higher temperatures, they may be more susceptible to stress and illnesses. Let us know your questions in the comments below, If you enjoy aquatic invertebrates, the Bamboo Shrimp is definitely one to consider adding to your community. Hillstream Loaches will live for between 6-8 years. The water is mostly clean due to its velocity and holds plenty of oxygen in it. Their body shape is an adaptation to the very fast flowing rivers of Asia, where they suck onto rocks and allow water to pass swiftly over them. The appearance of the Hillstream Loach is what makes them so attractive to many in the fishkeeping hobby. They can all be found in the fast flowing rivers of Vietnam including Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Laos, Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai. This is often surprising to people, given this Loachs small size. Besides aggression, the main thing youll want to look for in a tank mate is temperature preference. 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. Hillstream Loach - Species Profile & Setup If youre looking for something unique yet still easy enough for beginners then look no further than this little guy. You should also place smooth pebbles or rocks on top of the substrate. The family includes about 202 species. While factors like water temperature and pH levels are things most aquarists are comfortable with, the current requirements can be a departure from many of the common freshwater fishes out there. Their intricate body shape and pattern make them truly one-of-a-kind. These fish are very sensitive to changes in water parameters and even small fluctuations can be deadly. The habitat is plain, with minimal vegetation and plenty of big rocks spread evenly throughout a sandy substrate. Move the fry to your main aquarium when the fry are large enough to be left alone by big fish. pH: 7.0-7.8. 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. 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. Theyre also a little too small to be much of a nuisance. 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. Because it doesnt take long for them to reach their maximum size of about an inch long. 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. In order to pull it off, you need to agonize over water parameters and provide the perfect conditions. Charlene is able to explore her passion for marine science through writing and is always up for learning more about aquatic life, especially when it comes to maintaining, protecting or conserving creatures. sinking algae wafers, freeze-dried bloodworms, and tubifex worms. Hillstream loaches enjoy having plenty of dark spots to hide, so the tanks light shouldnt be too bright. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Getting the tanks parameters right will ensure your hillstream loach can thrive in your home aquarium. Being small in size allows hillstream loaches to scavenge foods in crevices between rocks and plants on the riverbed. 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.. Although they are omnivorous they do not need many protein-rich foods. The substrate should be sand, fine gravel ornaments, and plants with roots. Care Guide for Hillstream Loaches - Aquarium Co-Op You should try to replicate this in your aquarium. The tank shouldnt house aggressive fish species that are larger than hillstream loaches. All rights reserved. With the right diet and water quality, hillstream loaches live in captivity for ten years or more.AvailabilityHillstream loaches are classed as vulnerable in the wild because the fishs habitat is being destroyed by human destruction. Buy a power filter that replenishes the water at least 15 times per hour to mimic the fast currents of the fishs habitat. Their mouths arent very large! This will give them a very fast flow and enough oxygenation whilst maintaining water purity. Even though they have slightly different adaptations and appearances they all require similar care and water parameters. Because hillstream loaches are scaleless, these fish are susceptible to skin conditions. The biggest factor impacting their lifespan is water quality. Are you looking for a bottom dweller that is sure to steal the spotlight from any free swimming fish? The males will try to attract the females by doing a little mating dance. DIVER'S DEN WYSIWYG Store - 100's of NEW Aquatic Life Added Daily! Its scientific classification is as follows: Kingdom: Animalia. 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. 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. The Hillstream Loach is perfect for a sandy-bottom tank stocked with peaceful fish. These fish dont need a lot of attention as long as you have their tank and water conditions right. A hillstream loach tank can look like a lot of different things. Keeping them only in a pair can lead to one outcompeting and bullying the subordinate, which is an unhealthy dynamic. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a parasitic ciliate that attaches itself to the external integument of the fish. However, these fish are some of the most popular and widely-available loach species for sale today.You can find hillstream loaches in pet stores and online shops. There are many types of hillstream loaches that live in similar environments, but lets specifically discuss the reticulated hillstream loach (also known as the tiger hillstream loach or gold ring butterfly sucker) because it is one of the most common varieties available in the aquarium hobby. 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. 40-watt tubes are ideal for a hillstream loach tank. Hillstream Loaches have been known to live up to 12 years when cared for properly. 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.