Some of the care will depend on what exact species you plan to get or can get.
I have Gastromyzen ctenocephalus, G. scitulus, G. stellatus and a couple that are very similar to G. viriosus.
All of mine are in a fairly heavily planted 4ft tank with a HOB filter with a 800L/hr turn over and because of the heat we experience in central Queensland two separate airstones at either end of the tank. The tank is also open topped to increase air circulation and to help cool the water. The T8 light above the tank only covers 3/4 of the length of the tank, so once again heat is reduced. In winter the tank gets down to roughly 18 degrees cel, but in summer can sour to over 30 degrees cel. The substrate is mostly sand with some gravel as well as larger rocks for algea to grow on as well as some timber. There is also a large flat rock angled directly under the filter return where the Borneo Suckers have learnt to go at feeding time. They will all swarm over this rock snatching the various foods and then go back to their usual haunts in the glass behind the various plants.
This tank had been running and established for a couple of years prior to adding the Borneo suckers so there has been plenty of opportunity for the micro organisms that these loaches eat to flourish.
My Borneo suckers have sailed through three summers, but I believe what has helped them is the high levels of oxygen I am pumping into their tank.
Food wise mine get a mix of tropical fish flakes, sinking catfish wafers, algea wafers, plus shrimp pellets. They also get defrosted bloodworms (although they are not that interested in these) and defrosted Cyclops or daphnia.
I find these guys very peaceful, if anything they have their own odd dispute amongst themselves but never harm each other, its all just pushing and shoving with maybe a short chase. Mine are living with a pack of corydoras catfish (types that do like cooler water), along with some shrimp and threadfin rainbows. I have even watched some of my braver Borneo Suckers join in the feeding free for alls with the corys.
The rams horn snail population has dropped off in this tank, and I suspect that the Borneo Suckers have been eating the snail eggs they come across on the glass and rocks.
All the documentation I can find regarding these loaches says plants are not important for their well being, but I find my Borneo Suckers like hiding behind certain plants while on big leafed plants they happily clean the leaves.
Partial photo of their tank
