hillstream loach id

[jlorenzo]

I just got 3 gastromyzon and i was wondering what they are exactly. they are the standard color with the only markings being small perfect circles all over the top of their bodies. at t ill get some pics soon. they were labeled borneo stone sucker loaches

[Martin Thoene]

Here's the likely options:

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pi ... ms-spotted

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pi ... eticulated

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pi ... ms-saddled

Martin.

[jlorenzo]

Definatly look like the scitulus. Any info/special care for these guys. I havent seen them eat the algae pellet I dropped in but the tank has been running for awhile and they seem to love the big smooth rocks I have in there. I also have a river tank manifold in the tank and I keep the temp at about 70F.

[jlorenzo]

now that I look closer though they may be ctenocephalus because of the almost blue markings on their tails. Pretty close to either one though.

[Jim Powers]

Scitulus also has blue on the tail, just not as much.
Go check out the profiles for both species to find out which you have and get info on care.
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ga ... nocephalus
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ga ... n-scitulus

[jlorenzo]

Thank you guys for your help. The info is pretty much the same for both species. Any of you ever have trouble getting them to take food? Its only been a day so im not really worried but I was just wondering if they start to eat pellets after they get used to the new tank? I was thinking of making some khale like others have done.

[Jim Powers]

I have never had a gastromyzon eat the par boiled kale or spinach leaves.
Let me know if it works for you.
My experience with gastromyzons is that it takes them about 3 weeks or so to adapt to pelleted foods, but sometimes it can take months. Just be patient and watch to see if its grazing on the rocks or glass. If its doing that, it is feeding and will probably be okay.

[jlorenzo]

I did read that if they are actively searchig for food they are healthy. They were in the store and they are in my tank. My one concern is that the tank they were in at the store seemed like a standard tropical tank. They were housed with swordtail platies. Im wondering if the change in water temp and flow has shocked them. I went to the store to check on them frequently for about a month before I purchased them to make sure they were healthy and they seem to be. I acclimated them by floating the bag for about half an hour, but I didnt want to go any longer because of their high oxygen needs. Ill update in a week or so.

[Jim Powers]

The change in water conditions was probably a relief to them, not a shock.

[jlorenzo]

good news, I can home and found that the algae pellet had wedged under a rock and all 3 were crowded around chowing down. I was also wondering if they are filter feeders because my tank has play sand for substrate and they seem to be filtering tiny particles of sand as well. my only problem now is that the hang on back filter doesnt seem to be removing alot of food debris because of the high current. Any ideas?

[Jim Powers]

That's great news!
When hillstreams feed they often flutter their fins which could look like they were filter feeding.
As for your filter problem, if you have a powerhead, maybe you could aim the flow to push debris toward the filter intake.

[jlorenzo]

well the loaches are thriving but I am still having problems with debris. It gathers in certain area and inbetween my large cobbles. Its not too bad doing a good water vac/rearranging the rocks once a week but I really like my tanks to be as natural/low matinence as possible.