I went to my local pet store and asked if they could order any, and they said you do not want to buy them at the price “they’re” selling them for. I was torn. Mostly because I don’t know what she was implying because she has sold me 100s of dollars many time over with fish and stuff. I didn’t bother to ask and trusted her word, and everywhere online they seem to be sold out. Please, if anybody knows... I’m very interested in purchasing a hillstream loach for my 45 gal planted aquarium with 4 rainbow shiners, a long finned pleco, 3 sunset variatus platties, 6 white cloud mountain minnows, 9 bloodfin tetras, and 5 panda corys. An amazon sword plant, 2 huge driftwood centerpieces with annubis attached, hornwort big (which they all love swimming through, especially the corys) I just really want a hillstream loach to add to my lovely cold water tank!
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Where can I buy a standard hillstream loach?
- Thread starter CocoFish
- Start date
The employee could've thought you were asking them to buy some from you as she said: "We don't want to buy any at the price we sell them for"... I would go back and ask if they do special orders on fish and then ask if they can special order hillstream loaches...
DoubleDutch
Fish Gatherer
Think the point is that the price at the wholesaler is that high that, if they want to get a profit, the LFS has to ask a price they hardly will sell them for. So they simply won't take the risk ordering them.
You should rethink this. The hillstream loach Beaufortia kweichowensis must be in groups of at least six, or it can be very withdrawn and inactive. Like most all cyprinids, it is a social shoaling fish. It has other specific environmental requirements as well.
They didn’t think that. They know me. My words were specific. And you misquoted what I said she said. Thanks for trying to help though! Really.
That could very well be it, actually. Kind of upsetting as I really want this fish!
What? That would be upsetting. Do you own these fish? I’ve only ever read, saw, and heard that they are fine as a single fish....
This is a good write up on hillstream loaches
www.loaches.com
Hillstream Loaches - The Specialists at Life In The Fast Lane — Loaches Online
Article on the physiological adaptations of the Balitoridae (Hillstream Loaches), and how these impact upon keeping them healthy in home aquaria.
Good article. Also this information from Seriously Fish.
Like all cyprinids, this loach has in inherent need to be in a group of its own species. This is part of the genetic makeup of the species. As the above citation shows, denying the fish this expectation can result in stress, health issues, and a loss of much of the enjoyment for the aquarist. The fish expects this environment, and it is inhumane to deny it.
You cannot believe everything you find doing Google searches. Reliable fish sites will have accurate information, and they will all agree.
Link to the profile on SF:
In the wild Sewellia spp. tend to occur in quite large aggregations so buy a group of 6 or more if you want to see their most interesting, natural behaviour.
They’re territorial to an extent with some individuals more protective of their space than others (often a prime feeding spot). This appears related to gender with males normally dominant.
Dominance battles are entertaining to watch and often take place in a belly-to-belly stance with both fish raising their bodies from the substrate in a near-upright position.
The purchase of several fish will also reduce the likelihood of a particular subdominant individual(s) being singled out, and make the group less nervous of activity outside the tank.
Like all cyprinids, this loach has in inherent need to be in a group of its own species. This is part of the genetic makeup of the species. As the above citation shows, denying the fish this expectation can result in stress, health issues, and a loss of much of the enjoyment for the aquarist. The fish expects this environment, and it is inhumane to deny it.
You cannot believe everything you find doing Google searches. Reliable fish sites will have accurate information, and they will all agree.
Link to the profile on SF:
DoubleDutch
Fish Gatherer
Describing not being able to get a fish you want as "upsetting" sounds a bit weird to me looking at what is happening in the world. To be honest I feel humbled we're still able to discuss our hobby here and like this.
hammerb32
New Member
Just to back up what Byron is saying. I brought without proper research a single Hillstream Loach from a LFS, it grew into a really healthy looking fish but is so shy you wouldn't know it's in the tank. The slightest activity in the room it darts behind the filter cover and stays there, only if you position yourself in front of the tank and remain still will it come out.
When it does come out it's a stunning looking fish and amazing to watch, it's the only fish in the tank that will bump the Bolivian Ram out of the way. I am really tempted to get another 2 (tank is 125 ltrs, too small for 6) but am really worried that bringing 2 small loaches in would see them get bullied by the incumbent larger one and also worried that 3 would still be too small a group,
When it does come out it's a stunning looking fish and amazing to watch, it's the only fish in the tank that will bump the Bolivian Ram out of the way. I am really tempted to get another 2 (tank is 125 ltrs, too small for 6) but am really worried that bringing 2 small loaches in would see them get bullied by the incumbent larger one and also worried that 3 would still be too small a group,
Something can still be upsetting just because there’s other stuff going on in the world. I assume you own a fish tank being on a fish forum, and yet... you would rather put pet fish in water than send that water to the thirsty people in Africa? There’s a building burning down right now in New Orleans, how dare you be on a fish forum right now! Kindly, stop. Thank you.
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I really appreciate this insight! Very helpful. Thank you so much! I think I will then shy away myself from a hillstream loach, as I cannot get them, and I need many. Perhaps one day. But they absolutely seem like amazing fish to keep! Again, thank you.
enricosonic
Fish Crazy
You might do well to educate yourself or at least google search what it takes to supply water to Africa. All of our collective fish tank water across the globe wouldn’t make the tiniest dent. Infrastructure is required.
That wasn’t the point. The point was that a feeling towards something shouldn’t be negated because something else completely unrelated is happening.
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