I've got a 24 gallon tank with two orandas that are 3 and 4 inches including the tail. I have an aquaclear 50 with two sponges and a biomax insert in them. I have a foot long air stone and my tank stays close to 65 degrees in my dining room. I'm wondering if there's some kind of algae eater or pleco that I could put in with these guys or would I be overstocking? I'm not sure if my filter is even big enough for the tank with the goldies in it. I'm just not sure if an algae eater would be beneficial or would just add a lot of waste and I don't know how many gallons they need. Any thoughts on this would be really helpful. Jessica

You could but the Orandas would really appreciate the extra space and grow a bit bigger since 10 gallons per fish is only the minimum. Not the most ideal setup.

That's a good point. I'll definitely consider that. Thanks, Jessica

it's always tempting to fill up that last bit of space in your aqurium isn't it?

Yes it sure is peanuts. I guess other people have the same thoughts. Leaving my two fish alone would be best for them. So maybe some new decorations will do.

I have a 43 gal which houses 4 fancy goldies and i'm dying to get a hillstream or something in there.
trust me your not alone

Hillstream loaches like to be kept in a group (three is good). They also like a tank with lots of current and aeration. Unless most of the plecos, they are not messy fish and do not add much to the bioload of a tank.

They do need pristine water, though, and enjoy driftwood and rock formations. Also, at the beginning, they require a tank with algae since they are wild caught and are not accustomed to eating commercial fish food. After a few months, though, they do acquire a taste for most sinking pellets and will gladly eat things such as blanched zucchini