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Hillstream loaches are the most visually unique algae eaters in the aquarium hobby. When we import them, they often come in as either scientific name Pseudogastromyzon myersi or Sewellia lineolata, also known as the reticulated hillstream loach. This species features a striking appearance, and the graphic mottled pattern adds to its extraordinary beauty. The reticulated hillstream loach does not have a conventional resemblance to typical fish, as its specialized body structure is adapted for life in fast flowing streams with very strong currents. Although, we occasionally receive other related species so please be aware of this when ordering.
When you purchase hillstream loaches from us, you benefit from our commitment to quality and animal heath. Here’s why buying from us is the best choice for your aquarium:
100% Live Arrival Guarantee: We ensure your fish arrive healthy and vibrant, or we’ll make it right.
Overnight Shipping: Fast, reliable delivery to get your hillstream loaches to you as quickly as possible.
Shipped Within One Week: We carefully prepare and ship your order within one week from the time you place it.
Strict Quarantine Practices: Our fish are quarantined for two or more weeks before sale to ensure they are healthy and free from disease.
Expert Care and Handling: Our experienced team provides the best care to maintain the health and vitality of your hillstream loaches.
Customer Support: We are here to help with any questions or concerns before and after your purchase.
Choose us for peace of mind and the highest quality hillstream loaches available.
The Reticulated Hillstream Loach comes from fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams in Asia. It lives among smooth river rocks that provide shelter and food by growing algae and other tiny organisms. To keep them healthy in your aquarium, create a setup that copies their natural home.
Use powerheads to make strong water currents and connect airline tubing to bring in fresh air, keeping the water full of oxygen. Keep the water temperature below 75°F because cooler water holds more oxygen. It's important to avoid tropical aquarium setups for this reason. Add different sizes of river rocks so the loach can graze on algae and detritus, just like in the wild. Feed them high quality flake food and sinking carnivore pellets to give them the nutrients they need. This peaceful fish makes a great addition to any tank, offering interesting behavior and helping keep the aquarium clean.
The Reticulated Hillstream Loach stands out among aquarium fish thanks to its graphic mottled pattern, which adds further visual interest and sets it apart from the classic piscine shape. This species, also known as the Butterfly Hillstream Loach or Tiger Hillstream Loach, is admired for its gorgeous wing-like finnage and extremely hydrodynamic shape. The streamlined body shape helps them navigate fast moving streams.
Hillstream loach species, including the reticulated variety, are peaceful and visually striking, ideal for freshwater hobbyists seeking unusual aquarium inhabitants.
Thrive in established aquariums with strong currents, contributing to algae control and balance.
Important to maintain high water quality, avoidance of high water temperatures is critical to their success.
Adapted to oxygen-rich environments created by powerheads and strong water movement.
Feed on a variety of small foods including sinking algae wafers, finely crushed flake food, frozen foods like bloodworms and tubifex worms, and specialty powdered foods designed to support their health and nutrition.
Graze on biofilm and algae on various smooth surfaces, providing beneficial algae control and aquarium cleanliness.
Feature unique physical traits like a flattened body and graphic mottled pattern, adding extraordinary beauty and visual interest.
Their peaceful temperament and beneficial foraging make them essential for maintaining a balanced tank.
Their unusual appearance and behavior offer endless fascination for aquarists of all experience levels.
These loaches are primarily algae eaters, spending most of their time grazing on biofilm and algae-covered surfaces. To supplement their diet, we feed them finely crushed flake food (NorthFin Kelp Flake). To help with their protein intake, we feed them small frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia. The two essential food sources for Hillstream Loaches are GlasGarten ShrimpFit and Bacter AE. While these products are designed for shrimp, they both work great for picky algae eaters to help support their gut health.
At Flip Aquatics, we feed our hillstream loaches a variety of foods, including:
Frozen Foods: baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops
NorthFin Kelp Flake (finely crushed)
GlasGarten Bacter AE
GlasGarten ShrimpFit
Finely crushed, unsalted canned green beans
Our water parameters are listed below and suggested tank setup for hillstream loaches. Maintain the following water conditions for optimal health:
pH: 7.2 - 7.5
General Hardness (GH): 4 - 6
Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 - 4
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 100 - 150 ppm
Temperature: 70 - 74°F
For the tank setup, we suggest:
Minimum tank size of 10 gallons or more
Substrate consisting of sand or other smooth materials to protect their delicate undersides
Decor such as driftwood or smooth lava rock to provide ample surface area for grazing and hiding
Adding natural additives like Indian Almond Leaves or Alder Cones to help replicate their natural environment and support water quality
No, hillstream loaches do not eat snails. They are extremely peaceful and won't bother adult snails. They might eat a snail egg here and there, but you'll never see them actively hunting anything besides algae and biofilm.
Yes, hillstream loaches are excellent algae eaters. They spend most of their time grazing on glass, rocks, and decorations. While they aren't great at handling hair algae, they do a fantastic job on soft surface algae and biofilm.
No, hillstream loaches are not aggressive. They are playful and may chase each other around, especially males, but it's rarely true aggression. They're very social and do best when kept in small groups.
Here are some other similar freshwater fish and shrimp that have very similar requirements and care:
Spotted Hillstream Loach - A Hillstream loach with a spotted pattern.
Borneo Sucker Loach - A fun, active loach that thrives in fast-moving water.
Bamboo Shrimp - Perfect tank mate that loves high flow and filters food from the current.
