I was thinking about adding a hillstream loach to my 30 gallon tank. My two goldfish are the only fish in the tank right now. Does anyone know where I can get info on the max size of hillstream loaches, there temperment, etc? Also, I read somewhere that loaches are supposed to be kept in small groups. Is this true and is it necessary if it will be housed with two goldfish?

Thanks
Jessica

Heres some info (look around on this page you'll find it) :

http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/comfish.html

http://www.petresources.net/fish/cyprinid/bea_kwe.html

I have two in my goldie tank (aka Hong Kong Plecos) and have for the past 8 months or more.

My tank is at 76* so need for high temp.

They feed primarily on the new algea growth on the glass. I did have one that used to fight the goldies for their food though . It was really kind of funny since my goldies were about 10x's it's size in mass.

Mine hide primarly behind all the filter intakes but are not too shy that they can't be seen on the front glass.

Good luck with them. They will really add to your tank as something a little different

I always liked them loaches but I've decided to get some bristlenose instead of them. Very cute little fishes though those loaches.

AAAHHH 99 Posts!!

When it comes to Bristlenoses,or Hillstream loaches ,Theyare the perfect bottom dweller for you! Wish you luck!!!

Hillstream loaches like a tank with a lot of current, high oxygenation and with some rocks and wood on the bottom. They can live in cooler temperatures, like goldfish. It is best not to put them into a newly set up tank, since they primarily feed on algae, but after they have become acclimated, they will eat pellets or other sinking food. It is also recommended that they live in small groups. I often see mine zooming around the tank in a game of chase.

Here is a great article with pictures:
http://www.loaches.com/hillstream_loaches.html

Thank you all for your help.
My tank is newer, but has the worst algae growth i've ever seen. In goldfish terms, I have an extra 9 gallons in my 29 gallon tank, is that enough to support two loaches? The only other fish in there are the two goldfish.

Thanks again,

Jessica

Yes, you could certainly support two loaches and if it were me, I might get three. They tend to be delicate when you first introduce them to the tank, and you may lose one in the first few days. They stay quite small. Mine are only 2-3", and they are not bulky fish, so even if they all survive, you would still be OK, IMO.

Please let us know how it goes

If you have alot alot of algea, then it might be worth at least on bristlenose, rubbernose, or clown pleco too. That is, if you have the room. What type of goldfish do you have?

My Hillstream worked well on putting a dent in the algea, but unable to handle it all themselves and I had five at the onset.

Thank you again for your help.
I have two goldfish, a pearlscale and a fantail, both about 2" head to tail. I haven't been able to find a hillstream loach so I may be getting a bristlenose or rubberlip pleco instead. I just don't want anything that gets too big.
I'll keep you posted on what I get.

Thanks again,

~ Jessica

If you are primarily looking for a fish to clear algae and that doesn't grow too big, I would recommend the bristlenose over the rubberlip. I have found the bristlenose to be the best algae eater of the two, and they stay relatively small (under 5").

So, if you have a choice between those two, I would go with the bristlenose

Well, I've gone to every lfs in my area and no one has hillstream loaches. So with that and touchofsky's recommendation, I'll probably be getting a bristlenose. Now my new dillema, the bristles. I'm not too fond of them and I know the female bristlenose has very few if any "head bristles". But how do I know if I'm really getting a female bristlenose and not a common pleco, they look the same to me. It looks like the bristlenose has a narrower head than a common. Does that seem right?

~ Jessica

I have two female bristlenoses, and they do have bristles. You will be able to see the bristles quite clearly, even on the females.

I haven't compared the bristlenoses shape to a common pleco, since it has been so long since I have had a common

on this topic, i was able to talk to the managers as some of the LFSs and they were nice enough to actually order them in for me when they ordered the rest of their fish