I tried to keep hillstream loaches in mind when I designed my pond. I have a strong current going from one end of the pond to the other, which agitates the water considerably... I've got lots of hidey holes all along the bottom, and the algae in the pond is going terrific. :P But manageable.

Do you think hillstream loaches would be okay in my pond? I know that they're not the hardiest of fish, but I also know that a lot of people try to keep them in warm, relatively still, low oxygenated water... The pond's about 50 gallons, and the loaches would be sharing with goldfish, white clouds, zebra/leopard danios...

What do you reckon?

Here's some pics of my current and surface agitation:

I can't help with the loach question but I just had to say that your plants are looking fantastic!

Thanks dtroup! :D That reminds me - I need to update my tank journal. jay

:hmm:

If there are more like a dojo and less like a clown I would guess you could give them a try.

Hillstreams need a lot of aeration and current... As long as you buy a group of them they should do great!


Personally I think they're hardy. :)

glaive - they're not a real loach. They're also called 'butterfly plecos' and they're not a pleco. They're a blooby fish in a different class.

It's been suggested (another forum) that it may get too hot for them? In summer I guess the pond would get up to about 35C... :/

That's way to hot. :(

I'm planning to ice it in summer... Would that work?

I could also set up a tank inside for them and move them there in summer?

I read them up a little bit...

They like to have a temperature around 23*C. I'm not sure what that is in F. But they originate in fast moving streams around 17-21*C. :)

About 73 F I believe. ((23*9)/5)) + 32