Shy Gastromyzon.

[afroturf]

I recently brought a couple of Gastromyzon sp. I believe to be G. scitulus. They were labled as 'spotted hillstream loach' Pseudogastromyzon sp. by the shop.

Since releasing them into my tank they have spent most of the time hidden i gaps between the rocks or in burrows that have been dug by some gobies i also have in the tank.

These are my first time keeping hillstream loaches so any expert advice is welcome.

Are these naturally shy hillies?

Cheers.

[janma]

They are quite shy, some more than other. But after a while they will get braver. Don't worry, be happy

[Martin Thoene]

You've got to remember these fish have been through a lot in the past few weeks. Hauled out of their native stream, caught and re-bagged a few times then shipped halfway around the world. Now they're living in a strange tank, strange water, etc. You can probably factor in some jet-lag too as like us the time zone difference is going to throw them for a while.

Give them plenty of hiding places so they feel secure, clean well oxygenated water and good food and they will eventually settle in and become more active.

G. scitulus have a habit of dissapearing in the evening....certainly in my tanks. It's as if they go to bed somewhere.

They are certainly daytime active fish.

Martin.

[Munkee]

As the other have said they are shy at first. They will come around in time. I have had mine for a little while, and it took about a month for them to even allow me near the glass when they are out. They will warm up over time. No worries.

[janma]

I've noticed that different Gastromyzon species have different "shyness-level". G. occellatus is the bravest, some of the others I see only during feeding. But the Gastrosmyzons are definitely daytime fish, while Sewellias seem to come out more at night.

[Jaynie]

I've noticed that different Gastromyzon species have different "shyness-level". G. occellatus is the bravest

I have to agree about the Occelatus mine is much braver than my Cheni, I have 3 Cheni and 1 Occelatus, the occelatus sits and watches me doing water changes and cleaning out the tank whilst the 'boisterous' Cheni's dash off and hide.

It took the Cheni a good few weeks to settle at first and they did dash off and hide when I walked near the tank, the Occelatus settled in pretty much straight away.

[afroturf]

Thanks for all the replies guys you have eased my concerns that my set up my not be quite perfect.

Since my first post the larger of the two has become more adventurous and spend more time out of their favourite hiding spot. I catch them a few times a day going for a quick sortie round the tank, they seem to swim rather erratically darting from rock to rock or along the glass stopping every so often to catch there breath.

Here are a couple of pics,

Largest one just above their favourite hiding hole


Largest ones? underside


I really like these guys/gals, the tank was originally setup mainly for gobies but am thinking of dedicating more space to some hillstream loaches.

Cheers.

[janma]

I really like these guys/gals, the tank was originally setup mainly for gobies but am thinking of dedicating more space to some hillstream loaches.

And so it begins

Been there, had only 2 at first and then I had to dedicate the whole tank for a bunch.

[bullisbm]

yep..your doomed.. I started into fish again with dwarf puffers.. then I ran into sewellia's oh boy. multiple tank upgrades and a few new tanks..I am officially loach obsessed.