Loaches Online Forum

Some pics of this little fattie











With bubbles.



Martin.

Nice blushing cheeks on the first few pictures!

Wonderful pictures Martin

On the subject of the cheeks do you notice that gold patch on all your Gastro's Martin, I have noticed that out of 5 of my G ocellatus it only shows up in pictures of 2 or 3 of them and the same with the G. stellatus, I know its a long shot but could it be something that males show and females dont

This metallic sheen seems to be in the subcutaneous tissue in each cheek. It really only shows up with flash. This is the only specimen of this species I have and by its build I've always assumed that it's a female.

Martin.

I noticed these stay clamped fin when on the rocks,is this current i.e. just keeping the fins out of it? or natural all the time?or just chance photos. I know the fins pop up to move to make them effective but do they always lat flat like this the rest of the time?Post your green tank on the patio again too pleez

Cool!

Martin, i have been trying very hard not to look at your photos, as they always make me dribble. i got lured this time you are a wicked man

That's me!

Martin.

Martin your pictures make me drool!!
I just lost all my hillstreams due to a move from one state to another. I had had them several years having rescued them from an 80F Betta tank at the LFS.
Carol

Sorry to hear about your Hillstreams butterfly

Tinman.....They keep the dorsal and caudal folded because it reduces drag in the current and makes it easier for them to maintain station on a rock.

This is why a lot of people overlook Hillstreams as dull and boring fish that don''t move about much and lack much colour. Sure, the bodies with certain exceptions may be shades of brown but the fins , particularly caudal and dorsal can be spectacular. In improperly set up aquaria (i.e. the majority of dealers) they are inactive and don't exactly "advertise" well. If dealers would take the time to provide proper conditions the fish would sell themselves.

Helped host a meeting for a local aquarium plants club a few years ago. These people were transfixed by my River-Tank and couldn't believe how lively and fascinating to watch the fish were. I think most people here who keep them in a proper River-Tank would agree.

Although they're not swimming actively like some fish they are almost constantly grazing and that makes photographing them far more difficult than you might imagine.....especially when taking closeups with fine focussing.

Martin.

Yes your tank is a show stopper for sure, everybody transfixed is not hard to imagine at all. Searching info on these little hillstreams was how I reached this place,the best info I have ever seen on not only this fish but so many more and much of it from that very tank they all gawked at in person.

You need to post a challenge to add captioning to these- this little fish has some serious personality!

Kate

pic# 2 in a thought bubble above its head ... "uuummmm good nummies on this rock "
carol

Picked some Gastro's up on saturday, thought they might be G.Fasciatus ? they look similar to these fellows ! perhaps not quite as bright in colour , b t w has anyone here any experience with G.Fasciatus ? Graeme is it pictured in that fabulas book, if so try and describe for me , THANKS. off what i have read it sound nice i.e. blue/black base colour with white or pale streaks .

piggy4 wrote:Picked some Gastro's up on saturday, thought they might be G.Fasciatus ? they look similar to these fellows ! perhaps not quite as bright in colour , b t w has anyone here any experience with G.Fasciatus ? Graeme is it pictured in that fabulas book, if so try and describe for me , THANKS. off what i have read it sound nice i.e. blue/black base colour with white or pale streaks .

Hi Andy. Can you get Mick to take some pictures of your Gastromyzon? Here's a picture of the Gastromyzon fasciatus. I think this best describes them.