How to care for Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches
These are the three fish, (Hillstream loach/Borneo sucker, White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Weather Loach), that can be further added to aquariums containing goldfish. In the wild, they are found in Asia. Hillstream Loach fish are found in fast flowing mountain streams. Never put them in garden ponds
Water Requirements
Like all fish, these three species need good water quality and, where possible, water parameters should be at the following levels:
Temperature: 17-23C
pH: 6.0-8.0
Ammonia: 0 mg/l (0.02 mg/l may be tolerated for short periods)
Nitrite: 0mg/l (0.2mg/l may be tolerated for short period of time)
Hardness: Moderately soft – hard (5-19dH)
Biology
The Hillstream loach and White Cloud Mountain Minnows are seen in oxygen-rich mountain streams throughout Asia. The Hillstream loach can be seen attached to rocks using their altered fins and also have a streamlined body to allow them to move in turbulent waters.
These fish differ in size. In the home aquarium, the Hillstream loach will attain 4 to 8 cm, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow 3 to 5 cm and slightly larger Weather loaches up to 25cm.
The Weather loaches are so named due to their obvious ability to detect changes in atmospheric pressure (like storms) and can react by swimming frantically.
In a well-maintained aquarium in which the water quality is perfect, these fish will live on for several years. There are reports of Weather loaches living up to ten years.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows can be sexed by their colouration and body shape, adult males are slightly thinner and extra brightly coloured than the females. Male Weather loaches have lots of denser pectoral fins than the females and they’re trilateral in shape. Hillstream loaches are much more difficult to sex, it may be that adult males are more colorful during mating, however, there were few cases of breeding in domestic aquariums.
Aquarium Requirements
The two smaller species available (Hillstream loach and White Cloud Mountain Minnows) need an aquarium of at least 30 liters, the larger species (Weather loach) will need a greatly larger tank of minimum capacity of 100 liters.
The tank must give shelter in the form of live plants and bogwood. These give surfaces for the microorganisms upon which the Hillstream loach nourish to grow. Therefore, although additional lighting is not important for the fish, it is useful for plant growth.
These fish may be kept in unheated aquariums in centrally warmed homes. However, it is best to give a heater to help evade temperature variations caused by, for example, draughts. Their aquariums must be protected from direct sunlight which might cause unwanted rises in water temperature.
The aquarium needs to be filtered and ventilated. A powerhead will rise water flow and gaseous exchange in the aquarium. Do not be astonished to find Hillstream loaches assembling on an air source or in front of a powerhead outlet.
Maintenance
At least once every two weeks a partial water change of 25 to 30% is intensely recommended (a siphon device is beneficial to remove waste from the grit). The water should be examined frequently to make sure pollutants such as ammonia and nitrites do not build up. Confirm you treat all replacement water with a tap water conditioner or let the replacement water stand or ventilate it to remove any chlorine present before adding it to the aquarium.
Filters should be examined for congestion and blockages. If the filter requires cleaning then do not run it below the tap as any chlorine present may kill the useful bacterial population that has developed in the media. Instead, it can be washed in the tank water which is detached during a partial water change as this decreases the number of bacteria that are lost.
Decent husbandry is important as these fish can be strained by even the smallest amounts of ammonia and nitrite. Check the water to monitor the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels every week, mainly during initial set-up and after adding additional fish.
Feeding
These fish are omnivores that feed on microorganisms, algae, insect larvae, and detritus.
A Hillstream loach is a good addition to many aquariums since they nourish the biofilms that smature on tank surfaces. If the other fish in the aquarium are messy feeders, they will give these fish with a good food source even though this should be supplemented with dipping algal pellets.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows and Weather loaches will also nourish upon waste food in a cold water aquarium, however, their diet must also be supplemented with flakes, frozen and live foods.
Potential Problems
Water quality issues can affect the behavior of the fish and can be shown by clamped fins, decreased feeding, erratic swimming (which may be common for a Weather loach) and gasping at the surface. Immediately check the water if any of these symptoms are exposed.
Compatibility
The Hillstream loach and White Cloud Mountain Minnow can be brought to the maximum cooler indoor aquariums. If goldfish are added, they require to be monitored for signs of aggression closer to them specifically if they’re smaller and they may want to be removed. Both of these species need to be kept in groups of four or five; White Cloud Mountain Minnows are schooling fish and Hillstream loach are frequently seen sitting in small batchs upon a log or decoration in the aquarium. The Weather loach can be brought with most cold-water fish. They are non-competitive by nature and need not attack or pester any other fish in their aquarium.
Breeding
Of these three collections of fish, it is most likely you will have success breeding the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. These fish will willingly spawn when the female is full of eggs. Once the male and female have spawned in a tank they must be removed to a distinct tank and the fry will hatch within 2 to 3 days. Once they are free swimming, they can be nourished live baby brine shrimp and fry food.
Tools
• Proper Aquarium
• Grit cleaner
• Water testing kit
• Tap water conditioner
• Powerhead or air pump
• Gravel
• Filter
• Food
Before purchase make sure:
- The aquarium is of a right size
- Water parameters are as guided in this leaflet.
Important things to remember
- Always purchase test kits and frequently check the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. This will let you to make sure the water in your aquarium is not causing welfare issues for your fish.
- Develop a routine for testing the water in your aquarium. Record your outcomes to allow you to highlight fluctuations quickly.
Also, check the temperature of the water. - Keep the water in the aquarium within the known parameters highlighted in this leaflet. You may need to do systematic water changes to attain this.
- Always wash your hands confirming to wash off all soap residues, before putting them into the aquarium. Wash and clean your hands again after that and indeed before eating, drinking or smoking.
- Never siphon by mouth. An aquarium can harbor bacteria which can be injurious if swallowed. Buy a personally designed aquarium gravel cleaner which can be initiated without the need to place the siphon in your mouth.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.