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I went to my LFS today and I noticed they have a new type of plecos. The card labeled them as Hong Kong Plecos. I've never seen this type before, so I immediately bought two of them for $5.00. The staff told me they don't grow very big.

Here is a pic

http://www.aquariumfish.com.my/fishnotes/borneoloach.html

Does anyone know anymore information about these plecos?

Thanks in advance.

For one, they are not plecos, but loaches. I know that sounds strange because they even look like the plecs. I considered purchasing some of them, however, they are very delicate fish. They will die very quickly if the proper P.H. is not maintained. They thrive on lower P.H. around the 7.0. I've been told to stay away from them. One good thing you have is that you bought them on a bargain, normally they sell for around 15.00. Also, you need to have a lot of algae for them to thrive on. Hope that helps.

hillstream loach! nice

those are really cool but I've never kept them maybe someday

Yep,
Hillstream Loach. Not a Pleco at all. Got a number of names, Hong Kong Pleco, Butterfly Loach, Borneo Sucking Loach.

They really aren't that delicate, but they are not for every tank. They are wild caught and come from fast moving mountain streams, hence the name. They need cool highly oxygenated water with a lot of current. Things not usually found in the average community aquarium. If you can provide these they are actually quite a hardy little fish and very disease resistant.

While not a fan of either plecos or loaches looks wise I think this is a very pretty fish actually and it's cool the way they can change colors.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Since they need a bundle amount of algae to survive, and I want to have a balanced amount of algae growth, should I set my aquarium heater to 82 degrees? or any type of light bulb I should use? (currently have a coralife 50/50 bulb. But not always on)

I currently have 7 Fancy Guppies, 8 Neon Tetras, 3 African Dwarf Frogs, 1 Singapore Shrimp, and 2 Hillstream/Hong Kong Loaches. I have no live plants, but only a few fake plants and a lot of driftwood caves. They are in a 40 gallon long tank.

and good thing I got them for a good price, in case they don't survive.

Last edited by manix at 29-Sep-2004 23:07

nooooo

With the temp set to 82 degrees, your loaches will fry for sure. In fact, they prefer the aquarium temperature to be aroung 70 degrees, if not less---too low for your neons.

I haven't changed it yet don't worry. But my temperature is currently on 75 degrees. I've heard 75 degrees is okay for them, but I don't know. I'm totally new to this stuff.

So how can I promote more algae growth?

Can I feed them Algae Discs or Wafers, from Wardley or Hikari?

Last edited by manix at 29-Sep-2004 23:30

and good thing I got them for a good price, in case they don't survive.

Well, not so good for them. All the more reason why a hobbyist should research the fish they intend to purchase to ensure they can provide an adequate home.

A fish purchased on the spur of the moment when the purchaser doesn't know what the fish is or what it needs almost always ends up going wrong.

Sufficient algae supply is another reason they will not suit every tank. Do not turn up the temp to promote algae it will kill the loaches and probably do damn all to promote algae. They may eat the algae wafers if they get to them first, Hillstreams are not the type of fish that will fight for their share of the food. You can also try blackworms which they do enjoy but again if the other fish don't gobble them up first.

To be quite frank, and without trying to harsh, I don't hold out much hope for the laong term survival of your Hillstream's. They have been put into an environment that is just not conductive to their survival. They really belong in a species tank that caters to their needs and under those circumstances they can be quite hardy. Other then that they don't have much of a chance.

I've made the same mistakes when I was a beginner and learned the hard way.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

i would never base a fish purchase on the assumption that my financial loss would be small if it died. a fish being cheap does not make it disposable.

unlike most wild caught aquarium fish, hillstreams seem to be too specialised to survive for very long in our tropical tanks. the only people i know who have kept them long term use tanks adapted to their needs. small tanks (the 5 gall eclipse with the bio-wheel in the hood works well- hillstreams tend to stay small, do not need to be paired or kept in groups, do not move around much, and the small tanks allow them to find food quicker), lots of water movement, temps from 65 to 75, large rocks for them to cling to, and very clean water.

there are several species that show up for sale- most seem to come from china, but some come from borneo and vietnam (at least they used to). they all come from the same habitat- but not all are dependent on algea as food. most will consume bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, and vegatable based flake food/pellets. most people see them sucking the sides of the tank and assume they only eat algea.

they are not rare or endangered in the wild- their high cost and general unavalibilty is a reflection of their high mortality rate. being used to highly oxygenated, clean water, nitrogen quickly kills them. alot slowly starve to death, or expire from the higher temps. they do not appear to acclimate to various ranges of tank conditions like most wild caught loaches do. the only lfs that regulary carries them here offers no garantee on them.

i am NOT saying these loaches are unsuitable for the novice. anyone can keep them as long as their needs are met. they are very interesting to watch, and their unusual appearance is a plus.

Well so far my temperature shows 74-75 degrees. I just bought a small bag of Hikari Algae Wafers for Plecos and other Algae Eaters. I'll see dropping in 1-2 at night will help. I also feed my fishes blood worms every 2-3 days. So hopefully the loaches get enough to eat.

As for rocks and etc, My driftwoods allow them many places to cling onto and hide. So far it has been 2 days and the loaches seem fine. They are active and not dead yet.

Well so far it has been more than a week. I just wanted to update you guys about them. They are surviving in the tank. Very active searching for food at night, and sometimes in the day. So I guess my conditions are fine for them.

Glad it's working out so far. Keep us updated, it be good information for others who wish to keep this fish. It is a beautiful little thing.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Check out www.loaches.com
some great info there..and some articles to be found written by some that have bred them.
They can be kept in higher temps..I keep mine at 76. I have had them for periods of time at 80-82 even when I had Ich in my tank. They are very neat little fish..I have Spotted Hillstreams, paid $7.99 at my LFS for them.. Very outgoing little guys. Get some big smooth river rocks for them and you'll see them slide down the sides.. Mine also love my holey rock.
I feed mine Bloodworms/brine shrimp/sinking pellets/frozen omnivore/flake/algae wafers. They also need algae and diatoms in the tank to eat..which a good planted tank should have..

Wanted to add, mine ARE in a community tank with the following:
Pearl Gouramis (5-6"
Bristlenose Plecos (6"
Cories( up to 3"
Otos
Clown Pleco
Zebra Loaches (up to 3"

They are NOT shy. They DO fight for food..well, not fight per se..but I have seen them get on a Bristlenose pleco and bug it until it moved off of some food the Hillstream wanted. At feeding time, they get right down in the middle of it and are intimidated by none of my other fish..no matter the size difference. Not saying they are aggressive in the least bit..although they CAN be territorial with each other..but nothing serious. Just chasing...occasionally a little prolonged circling before the chase-off.