Hillstream Loache Ill

Graeme Robson · Post by **Graeme Robson** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:56 pm

Like i thought. this conversation is becoming to wide spred.

Many of us could state possible recommendations, but a "fact" sheet tells us not to.

TammyLiz · Post by **TammyLiz** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:59 pm

My odessas don't seem to mind the current, I have two HOBs on my tank right now, and they swim right through the downflow, get pushed aside by the current, and keep on going. They don't seem to seek the current out but they don't avoid it, either. If there was an area where they could get out of it to sleep, maybe in some plants, I feel that they would be fine. We could see what mikev thinks, he has some odessas although I don't know if there is much current in their tank or not.
You're right Jim, its not a big deal but I thought I'd suggest it anyway.
Graeme, I don't claim to have any experience with hillstreams but I do have some nice looking odessa barbs, IMHO.

Jim Powers · Post by **Jim Powers** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:04 pm

Graeme, I'm not quite sure what you mean

This is just a short print out to give to lfs to help them help their customers take care of hillstreams. They may be more likely to read this than a long article. If they need more info, they are directed to this site where they can check out Martin's article and post questions if necessary.

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:24 pm

Tammy,

I'm not sure they like the current...and their body shape does not look streamish. I suggested them for dojo's (cold water), not rapids.

If they do like really rapid currents, I'd be very happy to move them to the hillstream tank, they will make it look great....I just don't think this is the case and I'm a little afraid to try them in the new tank unless someone assures me it is safe...(the powerhead in the new tank is quite strong).

But for the factsheet I think we really want to offer only the most common good choices: so I'm very happy about mentioning Rosy's which one can find in every fs. Mentioning denisoni or Odessa's is not necessary, they are not sold on every corner. Likewise, if anyone has can think of any other *common* tankmates, we should certainly include them.

gulogulo · Post by **gulogulo** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:07 pm

Nice job on the flyer mike!

I think this is just the sort of thing all lfs need to see. Except the really good ones that already get it.

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:36 pm

Thanks, but the credit really goes to Martin, Jim and Shari who provided the text, I only moved the words around.

Hopefully this will be of use to lfs, also it would be of use elsewhere, I'm getting a little bored of threads like this
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=131863
where a pointer to an officially-looking flier might have done some good.

=====

While we are still on hillstreams: does anyone know if they are loaches enough to eat snails? I cannot get bacteria or algae going in the new tank yet, but I apparently succeeded with these things despite the ammonia. I'm very curious if this is a good development or bad?

Gary Herring · Post by **Gary Herring** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:52 am

Factsheet looks great! It provides just what is needed; basic, short, idiot-proof information. One small suggestion though, perhaps a sentance at or near the top along the lines of: 'Hillstream Loaches are probably the most mis-understood fish in the aquatic industry, and most suffer or perish as a result of being kept in in-appropriate conditions.' Perhaps This could go in between the second sentance("..... numerous species.") and the third sentance ("All species come from fast....."). What do you think?

Jim Powers · Post by **Jim Powers** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:47 am

I've never seen hillstreams eat snails.

Gary Herring · Post by **Gary Herring** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:16 am

Nope, definatly not. Wish they did though, im constantly battling against the little buggers.

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:25 am

Jim Powers wrote:I've never seen hillstreams eat snails.

Oh well, they will get their chance, and if not, I'll move the snails into the clown tank.

mikev · Post by **mikev** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:24 pm

Jim Powers wrote:Well, using L. disparis as a comparison, there is quite a variation in the body color patterns. The overall base color will lighten and darken according to mood. So, it my not be anything more than that.

Makes me really wonder.

I see the same color variation as in SpA in the posted disparis pictures: some are gray/black, some have red/brown.

Do any of your disparis have color/lines on their large side fins? -- it is not clearly visible on any of the posted pictures. (SpA does, SpB has transparent fins).

---

BTW, it was a good idea to follow your advice and take the fish from the store. The store asked to keep four as "floor models", I looked at them today -- ich.

Gary Herring · Post by **Gary Herring** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:46 am

Mike,

Any idea when the final version of the factsheet will be availible? I plan to send or take it to as many LFS's as possible. Its certainly needed, yesterday i visited a shop that had a batch of beaufortia which contained 3 sinogastromyzon wui. I would normally have bought them, but i looked a bit closer and most of the fish in the tank were covered in white spot, and the colouration was also patchy on quite a few. Also the tank they were in was a goldfish tank which had hardly any water movement at all, and no airation. Needless to say i didnt buy the wui's, which was frustrating becouse you dont see them over here very often. Im going to go back armed with the factsheet when its avalible, and hopefully it'll make a difference.

Martin Thoene · Post by **Martin Thoene** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:22 am

Oh boy Gary, it gets pretty bad sometimes eh? It's interesting to know that Sinogastromyzon wui are showing up as contaminants though. worth watching for.

Strangely, I've never seen Ich on Hillies before.

Martin.

Martin Thoene · Post by **Martin Thoene** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:57 am

......and so it goes on.......

http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name= ... ic&t=49334

Martin.

Gary Herring · Post by **Gary Herring** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 7:16 am

Yeah i was surprised, everything i've read in your articles and others says that ich on hillstreams is rare or even pretty much unheard of, an i certainly had'nt seen it before in the 6 or so months that i've kept them. But as well as this batch, the same shop had a batch of gastro's a couple of weeks ago that were horrifically covered in it. The spots were about 1mm diameter and seemed more pronounced than any ich ive seen before on other fish. Another wierd thing about it was that none of the goldfish in the same tank were affected

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