Hillstream Loaches

[TayHudson]

I have fallen in love with Beaufortia kweichowensis a.k.a Hillstream Loach. Just by seeing some photos online. I know it will be a very long time, at least till I can get a new tank, before I'd even be able to think about getting some.

I was just wondering since everyone on here is so knowledgeable, what are they're needs. Tank wise etc.

I have yet again been doing my research on them

If anyone owns or has owned them feel free to enlighten me on them.

I think they are beautiful.

If you have photos I'd love to see them!

[Jim Powers]

I have had them for years and their requirements are like those of most hillstream loaches, high oxygen, strong current and temps in the low to mid 70's F. You can read the specifics in the species index and in Martin Thoene's article "Hillstream Loaches- The Specialists at life in the fast lane".
If you think beaufortia are cool, you would probably like Sewellia lineolata or the various Gastromyzon species even more. They are more colorful and less reclusive than beaufortia.
That being said, Beaufortia are a hillstream I always want to have.
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstr ... -fast-lane

[TayHudson]

Thank you so much! I will definitely check that article out

[TayHudson]

Oh yesssss. I have seen those also!! They are gorgeous as well. [/quote]

[Jim Powers]

And don't forget Psuedogastromyzon cheni, too!

[Hokum]

The main thing for these is a long tank, width and height are less of a worry, you need to length so you can get a decent river like flow. The article Jim links too covers most of it, also this one, http://www.loaches.com/articles/water-m ... h-aquarium covers everything else.

Also as its the best picture i've taken of my loach yet have a look here

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=21287

[TayHudson]

I really wish I had the money to start another tank. I have seen Sewellia lineolata's for sale on 2 different websites today!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod ... catid=3003

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/1635/product.web

I wish I had the money to start another tank. Maybe one day.

[Hokum]

My Loach tank was on a budget, the tank is second hand, from a relative who passed away, but it's only 3 foot long (would go longer next time).

I then used an aquaball 130 as my main filter an aquaclear 50 and quick filter for my river manifold. Gravel was standard small aquarium gravel, about 3 middle sized bags. 3 large hard stones from the garden centre, and a bag of "cobbles" smaller stones about the size of your fist. A hagen GLO for my lighting.

The total cost as the tank was free, was about £100 including the fish.

I did a fishless cycle so it took about 3 months to get the tank ready for the loach. About 45 days for the cycle, then i added the WCMM's and glowlight danio to keep the tank going and add some colour and higher up fish.

I added some extra stuff which isn't probably required, I have a root with some anubias on and a bark cave with some java moss on.

If you look on ebay or local free ads you should find a simple tank for buttons.

I also have a window tank which i use for growing algae for my loaches to feast on.