Hillstream Loach

[pinkdolphin_113]

what kind of fish is a Hillstream loach ??
A loach? But it looks like a sucker fish! Not a loach at all! How come they don't grow much??
I love these little fish. They seem to like being stroked!!

 

[TigerMan]

i'm guseing it's a loach

 

[Fella]

what kind of fish is a Hillstream loach ??

A loach. For more info, check www.loaches.com

A loach? But it looks like a sucker fish! Not a loach at all!

Fish of different families come in all different shapes and sizes

How come they don't grow much??

They just don't. Some fish stay small.

I love these little fish. They seem to like being stroked!!

Mine certainly didn't when I kept them. They particularly enjoyed hiding whenever they saw me, and they only ever fed from my hand once.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

Cool. How many did you have?

 

[Fella]

Cool. How many did you have?

3 towards the end. I really liked them, but sadly I had to shut down my tank. If I kept coldwater fish (typically at subtropical temperatures) again then I'd definitely keep these guys. They were a lot of fun.

 

[sylvia]

They aren't loaches. By definition, a 'true' loach belongs to the family 'cobitidae'. Hillstreams (which is only a general name that encompasses several genera and species) are closely related though and usualy considered loaches - just like various nemacheilus species, for example, that belong to the group 'balitoridae' along with the various hillstream loach species.

Also, they are not a tropical fish - hillstream loaches are sub-tropical - preffering the cold-tropical border as far as water temperature goes. they also require extremely highly oxygenated water, a strong current and plenty of surfaces from which to graze algae. They are best kept with other current-loving sub-tropicals such as white cloud mountain minnows.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

I have just been reading about a "river tank."
This uses powerheads and filters powerful enough to replicate the current of a river. This type of tank has been succesful for breeding Hillstream loaches and it looks like a wonderful idea. How much would this possibly cost to set up?

 

[Fella]

They aren't loaches. By definition, a 'true' loach belongs to the family 'cobitidae'. Hillstreams (which is only a general name that encompasses several genera and species) are closely related though and usualy considered loaches - just like various nemacheilus species, for example, that belong to the group 'balitoridae' along with the various hillstream loach species.

Also, they are not a tropical fish - hillstream loaches are sub-tropical - preffering the cold-tropical border as far as water temperature goes. they also require extremely highly oxygenated water, a strong current and plenty of surfaces from which to graze algae. They are best kept with other current-loving sub-tropicals such as white cloud mountain minnows.

I stand corrected, although, you will still find them in the loach area of tff and on www.loaches.com

 

[wuvmybetta]

I have just been reading about a "river tank."
This uses powerheads and filters powerful enough to replicate the current of a river. This type of tank has been succesful for breeding Hillstream loaches and it looks like a wonderful idea. How much would this possibly cost to set up?

It shouldn't cost much at all. Just the price of the powerheads, PVC pipe and joints, and sponge. I have a set up likethis for some plecos, it's been running a couple years, I'll guesstimate that it cost less than a hundred from start to finish (filtration alone)

As for hillstream loaches I think they're wonderful little fish. I've had a several for a couple years, they're the hardest working fish I have!

 

[Lateral Line]

They aren't loaches. By definition, a 'true' loach belongs to the family 'cobitidae'. Hillstreams (which is only a general name that encompasses several genera and species) are closely related though and usualy considered loaches - just like various nemacheilus species, for example, that belong to the group 'balitoridae' along with the various hillstream loach species.

I kind of dispute that. Firstly, let me say that common names have always been and are always likely to be a problem, however, the most accepted common name for the balitoridae is "River Loaches" which does make them loaches in common nomaclature.

 

[The-Wolf]

I also disagree
Balitoridae are a sister group to cobitidae in much the same way that Devario is a sister group of Danio. all Devarios have danio as part of their common name and all Balitoridae have loach as part of their common name.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

When it comes down to it, there are many species/types of hillstream loach although their maintanence/care is pretty much the same for each hillstream loach.
For a list on the species of hillstream loach and their scientific/family names as well as other loaches, check this out;

http/www.loaches.com/species_index.html

And for care/keeping hillstream loaches;

http/www.loaches.com/hillstream_intro.html