i'm not sure about Hillstream loaches
i'm trying to find that out too.

###### shame for aquarists in australia - not many coldwater fish compatible with goldies.

Wow, I wasn't aware of that. I don't think it's a bad thing because they must be a risk to our natural river system and native species. Sorry that you aren't able to get one, I know you've been after one for a long time.

Yeah, we've even got a ban on Koi in Victoria cause of the carp issue, a little disappointing, but still, I'm glad we only have a small carp prob in Vic, and anyways, goldies can still get kinda big in a pond!

hillstream loaches are butterfly plecos rite? i think they're still widely available in perth

yeah annette


there aren't many options for compatible fish with goldies
the only solution is to get a heater and add some bristlenose

they have many names:

hong-kong pleco
borneo suckers
butterfly loach
Stingray Pleco
Butterfly Pleco (BUT,they are NOT plecos)
Chinese Butterfly Fish


they look like this:




is this the one you are talking about ??

yeap. still in great abundance at my local LFS

what a coincidence.
I just recieved confirmation that they are NOT illegal in australia

for those in Sydney:
I have found 2 stores that sell them -

apparently - they are NOT called hillstream loaches in australia

they are under Borneo Suckers or Butterfly Pleco

so just ask around !!!

hope that helps everyone

yup that's rite. i just found out that they're called hillstream loaches in the US when i joined koko's

one LFS calls them Borneo Scooters

They are really pretty.

Yepp, that's the other name in australia

In australia they are mainly called Borneo Sucker or Borneo Scooter
(sometimes called butterfly pleco - but this may cause confusion, because there is a pleco also called a butterfly pleco)


for those in Sydney - there are 2 stores that have them in stock at the moment.
Slippery Little Suckers - Kingsford
Aqualand Aquarium - Parramatta Westfield

I remember these guys! they're great! I had one in a tropical tank I had set up about 10 years ago, Fantastic pec/pelvic fins! they do look like a suction cap!