Kale leaves, spinach, raw cucumber slices, zucchini, and blanched lettuce leaves are foods that can be added to the tank during feeding. A favorable female will stay close to the male while the male digs in the substrate, building a nest.If the fish successfully mate, the female will release her eggs into the nest, and the male will fertilize the eggs with a fluid known as milt.The eggs incubate for a couple of weeks. Origins. However, its worth noting that these fish can exhibit territorial behavior in certain situations. Origin - Malaysian. They can all be found in the fast flowing rivers of Vietnam including Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Laos, Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai. These fish do better in cooler water which is useful if you plan on keeping them with other species. Ensure the tank has a tight lid to prevent hillstream loaches from scaling the tanks glass walls and escaping. Reticulated Hillstream Loach - AquariumDomain.com However, these fish are some of the most popular and widely-available loach species for sale today. These peaceful Loaches thrive in community tanks and will clean up your tank as they go. Hillstream loaches grow to lengths of approximately 2-3 inches. This is an excellent oddball fish to add to a tropical community Read More . Because these Loaches need colder waters you cannot keep them with many freshwater tropical fish. With careful planning of your aquarium layout, you can not only provide your catfish with hiding places, but you will actually have the benefit of seeing them as well. You can either keep Hillstream Loaches on their own or in groups of 3 or more. The Hillstream Loach is a very peaceful community fish that often keeps to itself due to its small size and bottom-dwelling nature. Also, keep a tight lid on the aquarium since they have the ability to climb up glass walls and escape. Should You Get a Hillstream Loach for Your Aquarium? This soft green algae will act as a base diet for them, although you can add some other sources of vegetation such as kale leaves, cucumber and lettuce every now and then. And even then, it might not happen. A planted tank is recommended as they reduce the nitrate content, increase oxygenation and again, provide surface area for biofilms to grow upon. They look like a small stingray and have a remarkably streamlined body. Hillstream loaches are classed as vulnerable in the wild because the fishs habitat is being destroyed by human destruction. Hillstream Loach are members of the family Balitoridae. These fish are very sensitive to changes in water parameters and even small fluctuations can be deadly. Hillstream Loach (Sewellia Lineolata) - Care Guide - Tankarium Hillstream loach care is all about making sure they have the proper water parameters and tank conditions. Hillstream Loaches will need at least a 50 gallon tank. The Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a curious fish of extraordinary beauty. In order to pull it off, you need to agonize over water parameters and provide the perfect conditions. They get along with most peaceful community fish that are similarly sized and wont fin nip them. Many of the species are popular for aquaria, species in the genus Sewellia are most commonly sold in the . Hillstream Loach Care Guide: Tank Mates, Size, Breeding Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, Myer's Hillstream loach, Chinese Hillstream Loach, Sucker-Belly Loach. This build makes it easy for them to resist currents while other fish are forced to use a significant amount of energy to stay in the same place. Adult hillstream loaches reach 2.5 inches in length. They have dark brown-black stripes embellished with lighter cream-yellow spots and wiggles. Borneo suckers should be offered some vegetable matter. However, you shouldnt get a hillstream loach if your tank already contains dominant loaches or the bottom area of your tank is crowded.Hillstream loaches are peaceful, entertaining fish that stand out in aquariums due to their unique appearance and tendency to stick to the side of the tank.Despite having specific water requirements, hillstream loaches are beautiful, helpful additions to a home aquarium.Related ArticlesFreshwater FishDojo Loach Care Guide & Species ProfileFebruary 7, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishYoyo Loach Care Guide: Size, Breeding, and MoreJanuary 19, 2019 RobertFreshwater FishLoach: Care Guide & Species ProfileFebruary 21, 2022 RobertFreshwater Fish9 Most Popular Types of LoachesFebruary 17, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishKuhli Loach Care Guide & Species ProfileJanuary 25, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishThe Clown Loach Care Guide: A Playful Bottom Dweller For Community TanksJuly 13, 2019 Robert. Borneo suckers prefer a cooler water temperature, between 20 and 24o. Care . Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a parasitic ciliate that attaches itself to the external integument of the fish. When it comes to sexing hillstream loaches, the females usually have a wider head and plumper body, whereas the males have a slightly jagged silhouette at the beginning of their pectoral fins near their shoulders. Most of the time, juveniles are sold in the fish stores and it can be hard to sex them, so buy a group of six or more if you want to breed them. Girl Talks Fish 207K subscribers Join Subscribe 107K views 2 years ago #plantedtank #aquarium #fishtank Looking a cool oddball fish that's easy to. If you want your hillstream loach to live as long as possible then you need to make sure they have the right diet. Although peaceful, most will defend territories, either to sequester feeding resources like a nice patch of algae, or to keep other fish away from a potential breeding site. This includes soft diatom algae, hair algae, and even black beard algae at times. Everything Fishkeepings articles and videos are intended to be used for a general nature only. You should only buy a hillstream loach if youre committed to looking after this fish by maintaining the right tank setup. Hillstream loaches are endemic to Southeast Asia and Australia, where most people have never heard of them. It takes two weeks before the fry will hatch and when they do you should feed them infusoria, microworms, powdered fry food or baby brine shrimp straight away. Well get into the details a bit further on in the guide, but that will have the biggest impact on their lifespan. Some of the most suitable plants for a hillstream loach tank are water wisteria, java moss, dwarf aquarium lily, and crinum. They are useful in maintaining algae levels whilst also getting along with many tropical free-swimming fish. Use a sponge or mesh intake to prevent hillstream loaches from wriggling into the filter. Their penchant for strong fast-moving water is the main reason why they have such a unique look! You can also use algae wafers if your tank is not yet fully mature or you have a lack of biofilm growth. 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. They dont want to start trouble with any other critters and prefer to spend their time scavenging for something to eat or latched onto a rock surface (or the glass in your tank). Fast Free Shippingon all orders over $79.99. This Loach will be the focus of this article. Buy It Now +$18.00 shipping. Make sure to use a tight-fitting aquarium hood or top because hillstream loaches can easily climb out of your aquarium. So, be sure to perform regular water changes and closely monitor your aquarium for signs of ammonia or nitrite spikes. We have personally kept them in hot water tanks with clown loaches, unheated setups with goldfish, and even heavily planted 20-gallon tanks with gentle sponge filters and the hillstream loaches happily thrived and bred in each of those different settings. Some great plant options include Hornwort, Java Moss, Water Wisteria, Crinum and Anubias. But they prefer live foods such as insects & small crustaceans. These fish do have barbels which are part of the reason why some people mistake them for a funky-looking catfish. Breeding hillstream loaches is definitely possible but is known to be quite challenging. All rights reserved. When it comes to diseases, the ones to look out for are any skin conditions and common freshwater diseases such as ich. This 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) oddball fish looks like a miniature stingray because of its streamlined shape, flat underside, and horizontal fins that can tightly grip onto any smooth surface. Feeding the Reticulated Hillstream Loach is not difficult since it will accept most food items small enough to fit in its mouth. Hillstream loach care is a fairly simple and stress-free process. 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. The tiny babies like to eat infusoria, vinegar eels, microworms, live baby brine shrimp, and powdered fry food. You should stick to smaller, peaceful companions. 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. Diet - carnivorous. They will not typically do well in a setup that uses CO2. With the right diet and water quality, hillstream loaches live in captivity for ten years or more. Hillstream loaches that are sold on marketplaces like eBay are often cheaper. They come in many colors and patterns. Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. They are usually at least 100 feet below ground but can go much farther underground if necessary. A water temperature of between 68 to 75F is ideal for hillstream loaches. One hillstream loach needs a minimum aquarium size of around 10 gallons. Make sure the adults get plenty of food, and cover your filter intake with a pre-filter sponge to prevent the fry from getting sucked up. Hillstream Loach - Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding 3 Reticulated Hillstream Loach(Sewellia lineolata) Live Fish 2Day Fedex Shipping. Required fields are marked *. Live plants provide a good hiding place for hillstream loaches and are essential for reducing the waters nitrate content. However, buying from a reputable breeder is safer than buying from an online marketplace because you can be certain that the fish was cared for properly. The males, on the other hand, have a slightly slimmer body and you may see some small tubercles develop along the head and on the first few rays of the pectoral fins called fences. The ideal tank size is about 30 gallons with a minimum depth of 5 inches and a maximum length of 18 inches (1 foot). The Hillstream Loach grows to around 2.5 and 3 inches long. Because they dont require large amounts of space or high-maintenance routines. The most important part of their care should be taken care of with the tank set up. This is the one thing about breeding hillstream loaches that is actually fairly convenient. This will give them a very fast flow and enough oxygenation whilst maintaining water purity. Hillstream loaches are fast swimmers and easily out-swim bigger fish in a shared tank. Look for a tank with dimensions of at least 52 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 16 inches in height.Temperature, pH Range, and HardnessA water temperature of between 68 to 75F is ideal for hillstream loaches. Everything else can be a game of trial and error though! Navigating Potty Training: What to Expect. The hillstream loach (scientific name: Sewellia lineolata) is from the Cobitoidea superfamily and Cypriniformes order. While you dont need to have a ton of experience to care for them effectively, there are a few wrinkles that you might not be used to. sinking algae wafers, freeze-dried bloodworms, and tubifex worms. They are reasonably hardy which means you do have some wiggle-room, but its best to keep them in water with the following levels. Suckers or Hillstream Loach like fastflowing well oxygenated water and are interesting to watch as they cling to aquarium glass. Hillstream loaches are omnivores so they will eat both meaty foods like pellets as well as vegetables such as snails & worms. Borneo Sucker 3cm "Delivered to your door in Australia'' - LiveFish If youre looking for a unique critter to add to your tank, this is a good choice! Availability: Out of stock. Their diet consists primarily of other fish, so they make great pets for experienced aquarists who want something different than standard goldfish or tetras. They have very little hydrodynamic drag, which means they can easily navigate strong currents while other fish struggle. The Hillstream Loach is perfect for a sandy-bottom tank stocked with peaceful fish. All of these traits make them a wonderful addition to any peaceful community tank. These fins help them swim through fast-moving water without getting stuck on rocks or other obstacles. If this happens you can prevent aggression by providing plenty of space for them to establish their own territories with lots of hiding spots. The family includes about 202 species. The male hillstream loach will then put together a nest by digging and sorting through the substrate. Algae and other food items . Even though they have slightly different adaptations and appearances they all require similar care and water parameters. Hillstream loaches are peaceful, entertaining fish that stand out in aquariums due to their unique appearance and tendency to stick to the side of the tank. Also, avoid high water temperatures to ensure greater dissolved oxygen content. Hillstream Loach (A Complete Care Guide) - AquariumStoreDepot In our opinion, what they really appreciate is a stable pH (preferably from 7.0-7.8) and good water quality. Hillstream Loach: An Unusual and Hardy Fish - Sapy Your email address will not be published. There are four main hillstream loach aquarium setups you can consider: 1. Temperature: 68F to 75F (20-23.8C) Hardness: 10-15 dGH. As a loach, they spend most of their time working their way around the bottom of rivers and creeks when in their natural habitat. This small fish likes to keep a low profile with the help of environmental hiding areas, fast movement, and camouflaging color patterns. During the daytime, you can often find them climbing on the glass in a side-to-side crawl or fluttering their fins on the ground while searching for food. The information, content, and material contained on the site is intended to be of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute professional/medical advice. However, hillstream loaches become lonely when theyre housed alone, and a tank with enough space for six or more loaches is ideal. Its quite common to see all of your hillstream loaches attached to the glass of your tank without a care in the world. If the fish successfully mate, the female will release her eggs into the nest, and the male will fertilize the eggs with a fluid known as milt. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real Housewives of Dallas My 600-lb Life Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Although they will never physically harm each other, this can cause a substantial amount of stress for the less dominant individual. Only registered users can write reviews. The hillstream loach is popular for its appearance. They were found in deeper pools of the fast-flowing rivers of Asia and they were also found in marginal rocky pools that were disconnected from the main river. Each additional Loach should be given at least 10 gallons. The substrate should be sand, fine gravel ornaments, and plants with roots. pH: 7.0-7.8. Hillstream loaches are small, with flat undersides and horizontal fins that give the fish the appearance of a miniature stingray. Theyre also inexpensive compared to other types of aquarium fish species. DIVER'S DEN WYSIWYG Store - 100's of NEW Aquatic Life Added Daily! However, with enough preparation and the right tank environment, a patient, the knowledgeable aquarist can successfully breed a pair of hillstream loaches.To prevent predatory fish from eating the eggs and fry, use a separate aquarium for breeding purposes only. The best tank mates for hillstream loaches are listed below.Harlequin rasbora All rasboras are compatible tank mates for hillstream loaches.Neon tetra Neon tetras are good companions for a hillstream loach with a peaceful nature and preference for colder waters.Danio Some bigger fish species will bully danios, so choose carefully if you plan to make other additions to your tank.Snails Snails can play an important role in a freshwater aquarium, and they are no-drama tank mates for hillstream loaches.Dwarf shrimp Some bigger fish eat dwarf shrimp, so you should only add dwarf shrimp to a tank with small fish.Diet and FeedingHillstream loaches feed on biofilm, algae, aufwuchs, and the occasional insect larvae in the wild.