Loaches Online Forum

Do hillstream loaches feed on brown algae?

I tried using some urine but still no luck growing any algae. I left the bucket next to the window for few days now but nothing is growing.

@Martin
Very nice algae setup you got there. Is there a specific temperature for optimum growth? I'm gonna try using the secret ingredient once I get home If I'm successful I'll buy a small tank and do a similar setup.

I think he's a Beaufortia kweichowensis. When I bought him at my local pet shop they were lablled as "Guitar plecos" I found out later that he was actually a loach.

The colour loss appears uniform for his whole body, he looks somewhat transparent when he's on the tank glass.

My hillstream loach has been losing some colour pigment for the past few days, is that normal?

The bucket I used is a clear plastic and I leave it next to a window where there's plenty of sunlight. Maybe it's because I have a water softener installed for the whole house.

@Martin
How much urine do you usually put? I have a litre of water in the bucket.

I have tried growing algae on rocks but I haven't been successful. I put a few round rocks into a bucket with water near the window so it can get plenty of sun light. I added some fish food to it as well for nutrients but nothing grew. I have even tried getting an algae sampling from my local petsto...

So what's the best type of food to feed him in this case?

How do I know if my hillstream loach is getting enough to eat? It's been 3 weeks now since he was added to the tank. I have 3 orandas in the 40G tank as well and they tend to eat everything I put in before he gets the chance to eat it. I have tried algae wafers, sinking pellets and bloodworms. My lo...