View Full Version : What is my Loach?
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 12:58 PM
I know it is a Hillstream Loach, but that is a generalization. Can anyone tell me which "Hillstream" it is? I have 2 of them and they are very fun to watch. But I do not know much about them other than they like cooler water and like to play above the aerator wand that i have vertical so it produces more of a stream effect for them. They are about 1 1/2" long and I have had them for 4 months.
The Zigman
10-16-2008, 1:01 PM
this may help...
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 1:21 PM
Thanks for the sight. It does give me some good info. Looking at the pictures of the loaches on that page, all of them appear to be dark with light spots. Mine are light with dark spots. I have tried to find pictures of ones similar to mine and can't seem to find any. I was hoping someone had seen my kind before.
The Zigman
10-16-2008, 3:25 PM
Where's Lupin?
LUPIN!!!
he should know..
maybe Beaufortia kweichowensis?
fishorama
10-16-2008, 4:41 PM
Beaufortia is my guess too
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 6:45 PM
They do look like the Beaufortia kweichowensis.
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 6:46 PM
Thanks Zig for the help. Now if I could only pronounce it! :grinyes:
Beaufortia kweichowensis indeed.:grinyes: Might want to watch out for other common ones such as Pseudogastromyzon cheni, Gastromyzon ctenocephalus and Gastromyzon scitulus. They're prettier at least.:D
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 7:34 PM
I think I might just do that! These 2, while they aren't the prettiest, are quite entertaining. Once my 65 hex is fixed, I am thinking I will dedicate my 30 gallon, that I am using as temporary housing for my angels, for an assortment of these little guys and maybe some other loach species if I can. I have to research what exactly can be homed in a 30 for life.
I'd think twice before getting some of the Nemacheilus and Schistura. Most prefer being kept solitary and won't appreciate their territories invaded. Try Schistura corica if you want other loaches although I prefer to focus on solely hillstreams only.
fishorama
10-16-2008, 8:01 PM
Often various species are mixed together in shipments usually labelled "Borneo suckers" or "Hong Kong pleco". I'm holding out for sewellia lineolata personally :hearts:.
snoopy65
10-16-2008, 8:26 PM
Mine were sold to me as Butterfly Pleco. I knew that they weren't Plecos, but Loaches, I just didn't know exactly which species. Would all of the loaches classified as "Hillstream" be compatible? If so, how many in a 30?