Butterfly/hillstream Loach Question

[lilfishie]

i am thinking of changing one of my 15G to a slightly cooler temp around 20-22 degrees, going to plant it up, loads of bogwood/rocks etc with sand substrate

now stocking wise i am thinking

WCMM and Hillstream loaches

the 4 species i have shortlisted are:
Gastromyzon ctenocephalus
Gastromyzon ocellatus
Gastromyzon scitulus
Sewellia lineolata


Does this setup sound ok for them? how many would you reccommend?

 

[mikev]

Sounds ok.
6 should be fine. More possible with no dither.

Sand is not necessary. If you hope for breeding (applies to sewellia), small gravel is likely to be better; hillstream fry has better chances of hiding this way, see mine:

Gravel is generally better with hillstreams ime. Of course, best not to have WCMM's at all with Sewellia.

i am thinking of changing one of my 15G to a slightly cooler temp around 20-22 degrees, going to plant it up, loads of bogwood/rocks etc with sand substrate

now stocking wise i am thinking

WCMM and Hillstream loaches

the 4 species i have shortlisted are:
Gastromyzon ctenocephalus
Gastromyzon ocellatus
Gastromyzon scitulus
Sewellia lineolata


Does this setup sound ok for them? how many would you reccommend?

 

[lilfishie]

the sewellia are my favourite of the four, and of course would love to breed them, is that the reason you recommend no WCMM?

would the sand cause them a problem as i currently have fine gravel so leaving it wouldn't be a problem

 

[mikev]

the sewellia are my favourite of the four, and of course would love to breed them, is that the reason you recommend no WCMM?

would the sand cause them a problem as i currently have fine gravel so leaving it wouldn't be a problem

Sand is not a problem for the adults, they would even like it, albeit they would generally stay on rocks anyway.
WCMM's will eat the eggs and the fry. Quite possible all of it. You would have somewhat better chances with gravel, but I prefer gravel for other reasons too.

Any dither would be a danger. Danios are even worse then WCMM's. You are better off having more hillstreams in the tank.
Or, keep the current low (not a problem with Sewellia), and use threadfins, they appear to be much safer, I had fish breeding with them around.

 

[lilfishie]

am planning on having quite a few rocks bits of wood for them, i am liking the idea of threadfins, have always liked them, thanks for all your help mike