mnimum hillstream loach tanks

[daspricey]

hi
what would be the smallest hillstream loach 4 a small tank as i have no room or money 4 another big tank.
i have a 3g but that would be much too small, or wouldn't it.
thanks in advanze
david

[Jim Powers]

I would say a 20 long (US gal) would be good. Its 30"x12"x12" and is long enough to provide areas of unidirectional flow.
I do, however, have a 10gal (20"x12"x12") that I have set up as a mini river tank of sorts. It has a tiny powerhead to enhance the infow from the filter. It houses some small schisturas and a school of danio nigrofasciatus.
The 20 would be better, though, since it will provide room for more hillstreams. And you will want more room once you get hooked on these guys.

[daspricey]

thats my bigger tank at the mo. maby when my westher loach goes into the much bigger tank i'm getting i could have them in there.
thanks

[Gary Herring]

David,

Hillstreams are better suited to smaller tanks than most other species of fish becouse they stay small, dont produce much waste, and dont need alot of 'swimming' space. But even so, a 3gal IMO is far, far to small. In even the most basic hillstream tank you would need some current, good filtration and airation, plenty of rockwork to graze over, and a few hiding places. In a 3gal i cant really see how all this can be provided adequately, and even if it could, in such a small tank you would find it difficult to keep the water quality perfect, which like all river fish, is how Hillstreams need it.
I keep 9 Hillstreams of different species in a 30"x12"x15" tank, and sometimes wonder if even that is a little bit small, as they each appreciate their own little bit of space and can quarrel (harmlessly) over rocks, etc.
I reckon they need at least a 10gal, in which you could probably have 4 or 5 small Hillstreams like Gastromyzon scitulus or simular, which are great cos they are small (i've seen some for sale as small as an inch or less!), are one of the most attractive species, are very active and outgoing, and they are also probably the most commonly availible in the UK.

[daspricey]

ok
i did dought it.
is there anthing that can go in there, other than a bettabecause i'm getting 1 anyway 4 a 5g tank.

[Gary Herring]

I would say no. Other than a Betta, i cant think of any type of fish that could tolerate (let alone thrive in) such a small tank. I might be wrong though - you could try raising a new topic in the freshwater forum an see if anyone's got any idea's. Otherwise, what about apple snails, or shrimp?

[daspricey]

i'm setting up a plant/shrimp tank anyway.
what about dwarf rasbora. but do they need a very mature tank?
thanks .