hillstream loach eating enough?
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hillstream loach eating enough?
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 loach spends most of his time hiding between rocks but I have seen him cleaning the tank glass a few times.
- Jim Powers
- Posts: 5208
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Goldfish aren't the best tank mates for hillstreams for the very reason you mentioned. They out compete the hillstreams for the food.
Also, it may take some hillstreams months to adapt to eating algae wafers, shrimp pellets, bloodworms, etc.
Its a good sign that you have seen it graze on the glass, though.
Also, it may take some hillstreams months to adapt to eating algae wafers, shrimp pellets, bloodworms, etc.
Its a good sign that you have seen it graze on the glass, though.
- Jim Powers
- Posts: 5208
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Bloomington, Indiana
You are feeding them the right foods, it just may take a bit more time for them to figure out its food.
I have had hillstreams feed the first day, or take as long as several months to start eating prepared fish foods.
Is there much algae on the rocks in the tank? If not, if you can put some in from another tank, the fish will probably graze on them.
Hillstreams tend to either adapt to eating after they have grazed most of the tank clean, or just starve to death. Fortunately, most will adapt well to the new foods.
But, as I said, the goldfish in the tank may complicate things.
I have had hillstreams feed the first day, or take as long as several months to start eating prepared fish foods.
Is there much algae on the rocks in the tank? If not, if you can put some in from another tank, the fish will probably graze on them.
Hillstreams tend to either adapt to eating after they have grazed most of the tank clean, or just starve to death. Fortunately, most will adapt well to the new foods.
But, as I said, the goldfish in the tank may complicate things.
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 petstore but still no luck.
- Martin Thoene
- Posts: 11186
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:38 am
- Location: Toronto.....Actually, I've been on LOL since September 1998
- Martin Thoene
- Posts: 11186
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:38 am
- Location: Toronto.....Actually, I've been on LOL since September 1998
In a litre you would need only a splash.@Martin
How much urine do you usually put? I have a litre of water in the bucket.
Read here for further insight:
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ight=algae
Martin.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
- JonasBygdemo
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:28 am
- Location: Skellefteå, Sweden
That's disgustingly clever. I tried growing some, but all I got was brown, no green algae.Martin Thoene wrote: In a litre you would need only a splash.
Read here for further insight:
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ight=algae
Martin.
- Martin Thoene
- Posts: 11186
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:38 am
- Location: Toronto.....Actually, I've been on LOL since September 1998
You're talking more northern Ontario andy. None of those unsavoury bugs in Toronto.andyroo wrote:Martin,
In Ontario, do you ever think of putting those rocks into a situation where they might take on black-fly larvae? That could be the breeding-trigger.
I guess it wouldn't make you too popular with the neighbours....
A
Martin.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
- Martin Thoene
- Posts: 11186
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:38 am
- Location: Toronto.....Actually, I've been on LOL since September 1998
That setup was on my south-west facing balcony during the summer. Temperature fluctuation was pretty vast.elly wrote:@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.
Martin.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
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