Is a hillstream loach rigjt for me?

[Dwohlge1]

I have a 44g tall that is still cycling. I have driftwood, rocks, and two large circular air stones. Once I got some good algae build up I was thinking of getting a hillstream loach.

I was going to put a powerhead 30 underwater and point it over some rocks a driftwood. Can I do without the powerhead?

Here are my concerns, I have a pearlscale that i don't think could handle the fast current also I am concerned about my Oranda. I could go the rubber lipped route but if I can keep a healthy loach I would prefer it.

 

[toddnbecka]

Goldfish in general are unsuited to a tank with strong water flow, they're pond fish.

 

[Dwohlge1]

Yeah I would agree but I know members on this forum keep hsl's with fancies.

 

[Bubble_B0y]

white clouds are compatible with fancy goldfish.

 

[absolutangel04]

I have looked in to getting a hsl, but I was under the impression that they NEED the current in order to thrive. Not positive though, so I am going to sit and watch.

 

[tmfish]

I have looked in to getting a hsl, but I was under the impression that they NEED the current in order to thrive. Not positive though, so I am going to sit and watch.

Hill stream loaches do like a strong current as they are found in fast moving streams. I have 2 in my tank and with the filtration I have they do fine. They hang around the output of the canister filters I have. They are very cool fish and sometimes sold as a butterfly pleco

 

[Bubble_B0y]

the strong current is a little misleading.
You don't need a powerhead to make the hillstream loach happy.

The current from a HOB filter is sufficient.

 

[DragonFish71]

The thing with HSLs is that they like oxygen rich water. Cooler, faster moving water has a higher oxygen content than warmer, faster moving water.

They do come from fast flowing, oxygen rich streams. They can be housed with other cooler water fishes like goldies, white clouds and even danios.

Before I set up my river tank, I read this page:
How to keep your new Borneo sucker, Gastromyzon borneensis, with pictures

Then read a few more:
A River Runs Through It — Loaches Online
Hillstream Loaches - The Specialists at Life In The Fast Lane — Loaches Online
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) — Loaches Online
Butterfly Hillstream Loach - Tropical Fish Forums


They really are not hard to take care of, you just have to make sure your tank is mature, they don't do well in a new tank, and that you keep the water clean. I do PWCs once a week on their tank. I also had some spawning, but unfortunately it wasn't noticed in time. I hope there are a few little guys that made it. We'll see. *Hangs my head in shame*

 

[Dwohlge1]

Sounds like I will be ok once my tank starts getting som algae build up.

Thanks again