If you want to keep more than one fish, you should add at least 10 gallons for each additional fish. They also have an interesting behavior of clinging to rocks and plants in their habitat. These fish have a very long and thin body that tapers off at the end. How to you make sure yours eats the peas/pellets you feed him and not any other greedy fish in the tank? Hillstream loaches are considered a moderate fish species to keep in terms of difficulty. This means providing plenty of rocks and driftwood in the tank for them to cling onto. They dont require a lot of maintenance as well as attention as long as you have the right tank. To avoid any stress and to offer them enough space, you should choose a 50-gallon aquarium. This is because the fish are kept in groups of 3-4 for them to thrive. Hillstream loaches do best when kept in groups of 4 or more of their own species. When it comes to decorating their tank, some recommend a heavily planted aquarium with smooth rocks, driftwood, and caves for these fish to hide in and explore. Females have very broad heads that are nearly the same width as their pectoral fins. If you've ever been to an aquarium, you might have experienced stingrays firsthand at a touch tank. The only thing to keep in mind is that these fish come from fast-moving waters. Though they greatly enjoy benthic algae, hillstream loaches are omnivores that need both meat- and plant-based foods. They have a unique feature that acts as a suction cup on their underside which helps them stay attached to rocks and other surfaces. Hillstream loaches are peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish that do well in a community tank. This means a tank with plenty of flow and hiding places amongst the rocks. Mark is the founder of Aquarium Store Depot. Another reason why hillstream loaches are seen as difficult is that many hobbyists believe they only do well in fish tank setups that match the exact parameters as seen in their natural habitat ecosystems. Can Hillstream Loaches Eat Snails? The small size of the Hillstream loach makes them a desired fish for most sizes of aquariums. This species is a good community tank fish. Colorful koi fish been revered for centuries, and it's easy to see why. Despite their small size, these fish are very active and need a lot of space to swim.