Hillstream loach/pleco compatibility - Aquarium Advice

crazyred · 10-13-2005, 03:42 PM

I currently have a 30 gallon tank that has been set-up for several months and is fully cycled. In it I have 10 Harlequin rasboras, 6 cherry barbs, 3 platies, 1 opaline gourami, and a 5" common pleco. I know the common pleco get huge and I'm getting a bigger tank for him for Christmas (probably 70 gallon). So he is temporary. My question is...can I safely put two hillstream loaches in there with him? They are 1" a piece and will be my new cleaner crew for the tank. Will they be okay with my pleco for a couple of months or should I move him to my quarantine tank?

10-13-2005, 05:59 PM

Hillstream loaches are coldwater fish, they like temps in the low 70's and don't really eat a whole lot of algae. I have one with a pleco with no problem, but i didn't know anything about them when i got mine. Anyway, mine is doing ok, but i wouldn't suggest them as your "cleaning Crew" i would get a small bristlenose pleco or a school of otocinclus catfish for algae control.

Bubble_B0y · 10-13-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshleyNicole

Hillstream loaches are coldwater fish, they like temps in the low 70's and don't really eat a whole lot of algae. I have one with a pleco with no problem, but i didn't know anything about them when i got mine. Anyway, mine is doing ok, but i wouldn't suggest them as your "cleaning Crew" i would get a small bristlenose pleco or a school of otocinclus catfish for algae control.

yeah what she said ^^^

Hillstream loaches and plecos are compatible (so long as your tank is big enough, 30 gallons is plenty)

but like AshleyNicole said, hillstream prefer cooler water (low 70s).
Think of them as coldwater plecos

10-13-2005, 06:05 PM

No, i would not think of them as coldwater plecos... They are more carnivorouse than plecos and don't really eat a lot of algae or vegetable matter. Mine eats Shrimp pellets and leftover food more than anything else, i will occasionally see him grazing or rasping on an algae wafer... but for the most part he comes out to eat when i feed shrimp pellets. I have a warm aquarium because of my angels... but my hillstream loach has adapted and is doing just fine, but i have a feeling his life expectancy is going to be shortened

but if i get anymore it will definitely be for a coldwater tank.

Bubble_B0y · 10-13-2005, 06:08 PM

ashleynicole - how big is your hillstream loach (inches)???
i'm excited to see mine grow !!

10-13-2005, 06:27 PM

They dont get very big, only about 2" and they aren't really recorded to grow in the captive environment

Here's a few pics of mine

crazyred · 10-13-2005, 07:23 PM

The guy I'm getting them from keeps them at 72-74, my tank temp is 75 and he said he thought that that was fine. I mainly need them to pick up uneaten food since algae hasn't really been an issue in my tank (knock on wood). as soon as it cools off a little here my tank will probably stay at about 73, since that's where all my fish will be comfy. I just don't want any territory issues to break out.

10-13-2005, 07:59 PM

i don't think you have to worry about territory issues, but they LOVE currents.

crazyred · 10-13-2005, 09:23 PM

No problem, I have two [acronym:9cb3e5ad14="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:9cb3e5ad14] filters, and a dual output airpump hooked up to two aquarium toys, and I'm thinking of adding a powerhead.

10-13-2005, 03:42 PM	#1
crazyred Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 1,179 Images: 1	Hillstream loach/pleco compatibility I currently have a 30 gallon tank that has been set-up for several months and is fully cycled. In it I have 10 Harlequin rasboras, 6 cherry barbs, 3 platies, 1 opaline gourami, and a 5" common pleco. I know the common pleco get huge and I'm getting a bigger tank for him for Christmas (probably 70 gallon). So he is temporary. My question is...can I safely put two hillstream loaches in there with him? They are 1" a piece and will be my new cleaner crew for the tank. Will they be okay with my pleco for a couple of months or should I move him to my quarantine tank?

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10-13-2005, 05:59 PM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	Hillstream loaches are coldwater fish, they like temps in the low 70's and don't really eat a whole lot of algae. I have one with a pleco with no problem, but i didn't know anything about them when i got mine. Anyway, mine is doing ok, but i wouldn't suggest them as your "cleaning Crew" i would get a small bristlenose pleco or a school of otocinclus catfish for algae control.

10-13-2005, 06:05 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	No, i would not think of them as coldwater plecos... They are more carnivorouse than plecos and don't really eat a lot of algae or vegetable matter. Mine eats Shrimp pellets and leftover food more than anything else, i will occasionally see him grazing or rasping on an algae wafer... but for the most part he comes out to eat when i feed shrimp pellets. I have a warm aquarium because of my angels... but my hillstream loach has adapted and is doing just fine, but i have a feeling his life expectancy is going to be shortened but if i get anymore it will definitely be for a coldwater tank.

10-13-2005, 06:08 PM	#5
Bubble_B0y Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 762	ashleynicole - how big is your hillstream loach (inches)??? i'm excited to see mine grow !!

10-13-2005, 06:27 PM	#6
Guest Posts: n/a	They dont get very big, only about 2" and they aren't really recorded to grow in the captive environment Here's a few pics of mine

10-13-2005, 07:23 PM	#7
crazyred Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 1,179 Images: 1	The guy I'm getting them from keeps them at 72-74, my tank temp is 75 and he said he thought that that was fine. I mainly need them to pick up uneaten food since algae hasn't really been an issue in my tank (knock on wood). as soon as it cools off a little here my tank will probably stay at about 73, since that's where all my fish will be comfy. I just don't want any territory issues to break out.

10-13-2005, 07:59 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	i don't think you have to worry about territory issues, but they LOVE currents.

10-13-2005, 09:23 PM	#9
crazyred Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 1,179 Images: 1	No problem, I have two [acronym:9cb3e5ad14="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:9cb3e5ad14] filters, and a dual output airpump hooked up to two aquarium toys, and I'm thinking of adding a powerhead.