PlanetCatfish.com

Sorry only got a description:-

Dark with lots of white spots (bit like common bristlenose Ancistrus sp.).
Fins almost make a frill around both sides of the body.
5 red spots around sucker mouth.
Very flat.
Small tail fin.
Sticks to glass all the time.

Shop ID was Butterfly Pl*co! They did say they grew to 5".

Can you help.

That almost sounds like a type of hillstream loach to me....

Pics here:
http://www.petresources.net/fish/cyprinid/gas_pun.html

If this is what you've got, a FANTASTIC fish, my favorite non-catfish hands down, but they are best off in cold water with lots of current.

Normal tropical temps tend to stress them..

They also almost exclusively feed on algae.

You guys amaze me sometimes!

Definitely a hillstream loach. Where do they come from?
Rang the shop and they say they are a type of Pl*co (Hong Kong).
They also say they will live in tropical waters (upto 28C).

Only paid UK£3.25. Is this good? They had loads.

What do you think? Should i keep them in my cooler community tank (24C).

Steve

> Where do they come from?

Several genera and species, all from China and Southeast Asian hillstreams.

> Rang the shop and they say they are a type of Pl*co (Hong Kong).

BS. Not a pleco and not from Hong Kong, though they are often transshipped from Hong Kong.

> They also say they will live in tropical waters (upto 28C).
> What do you think? Should i keep them in my cooler community tank (24C).

Yes, cooler is better. Ensure good aeration and neutral pH.

> Only paid UK£3.25. Is this good?

About average. ~$5 in the US.

Dinyar

Thanks Dinyar,

Seems to be happier in cooler tank.

Will not be going back to Oakhanger Aquatics in Alsager, Cheshire.
I did hear we were going to name and shame bad LFS and support good ones.

For me in the UK:-

Excellent -
Pier Aquatics, Wigan
Wharf Aquatics, Pinxton
Amazonina Aquatics, Chesterton, S-o-T

Useless -
Oakhanger Aquatics, Alsager, Cheshire

Only my view but seems to be supported by other local aquarists.

Thanks

Steve

glad you got an ID on you Hillstreams They are fabulous fish, I've been keeping them for a while, feel free to PM me with any questions. Have a look at pics of mine @

http://eheim-uk.com/planetcatfish/galle ... ry/album06

There is some great info at

http://www.loaches.com/

specifically:

http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/be ... ensis.html

this is about the type I have which are Beaufortia kweichowensis but the infomation there pertains to all hillstreams.

On the note about hillstreams eating only algae. Not necessarily true. They eat better on algae just after being imported, but mine seem to love bloodworms, brine shrimp, and sinking Tetramin granules. On algae they actually eat the micro fauna that lives in teh algae, but eat the algae as a side effect.

I've found them to be quite easy to keep once they settle in. Better all around page from pet Resources is this one. http://www.petresources.net/fish/articl ... tream.html

Ben: Wow!! someone found my website I'm so impressed. I'm The Webmaster/Creator at Pet Resources, so thanks for the link.

--Mia

You're right about what they eat for sure Mia, mine love sinking shrimp pellets! It's probably their favorite food. It's really cute watching them "fluttering" excitedly when they find one

Ben: Wow!! someone found my website I'm so impressed. I'm The Webmaster/Creator at Pet Resources, so thanks for the link.

I really like your site, I go there all the time. Good info on lots of species, great pics, great layout