Hillstream IDing...

[cakey87]

Hi everyone!
I originally was posting this on Planet Catfish because well, I thought I had myself some type of Ancistrus. My Dad got this little guy for me, the fish store said that he was a type of Bristlenose. The only similarity was his markings, his shape was more like a slug than an Ancistrus. So I hopped on Planet Catfish and the guys there told me that he's not a Pleco, or a catfish but a Loach! Wow!
Anyway, I am hoping you could tell me what particular Hillstream Loach he is, as there looks to be different types.
He is about 2.5-3cm long at the moment and he changes colour depending on where he's sitting.
Here's the pics:




I look forward to hearing from you all!
Thanks in advance,
Casey

[Martin Thoene]

Hi Casey, and welcome to Loaches Online.

This fish is one of two species. If when it opens up its tail and dorsal fins you see bright, pale blue to whitish spots on the dorsal it is Gastromyzon ctenocephalus. If its dorsal is clear, then it is Gastromyzon scitulus.



Top is G. scitulus, bottom is G. ctenocephalus.

You should probably (actually, definitely) read the articles here if you've not kept these before.

http://www.loaches.com/hillstream_intro.html

Martin.

[daspricey]

remember they like a strong current and lower tropical temps. so this is a sub-tropical fish.

david

[Hendra]

remember they like a strong current and lower tropical temps. so this is a sub-tropical fish.

david

Gastromyzon is endemic in Borneo, so they are very tropical.
They need lower temp because they live in hill streams with medium and high altitude (where the temp is cooler than lowland).

[cakey87]

Thanks so much for the responses!

I can't catch him with his top fin up to tell! He never ever puts it up. I've watched him and I never see it pop up.
I am not sure if it helps but his back fin has a tinge of orange to it.