Hillstream loaches, with their highly adapted streamlined shapes, live in the temperate waters of fast-flowing streams, rivers, and rapids.

These fish will not thrive — in some cases, be able to live — in a standard community aquarium. Their tank must be set up quite differently; namely with cooler water, extreme high flow (uni-directional if possible) and high level of oxygenation.

Species – Hillstream Loach - Beaufortia kweichowensis

Current Size – 5cm

Adult Length – 8cm

Temperature Range – 20 – 23.8°C

pH Range – 6..5 – 8.0

Special Requirements - Ideally the tank will be quite long but not too tall. Their tank must be set up quite differently; namely with cooler water, extreme high flow (uni-directional if possible) and high level of oxygenation.Powerful filtration provided by external canisters with spray bar return/s and additional powerheads can ensure adequate flow and oxygenation, but a more effective method would be to install a piece of kit known as the 'river tank manifold'.

Tanks Mates and Compatibility – Some of the smaller danios, rasbora, and barbs make ideal candidates for this role as do the mountain minnows and other coolwater cyprinids such as species of Barilius. Glowlight danio (Danio choprae) also make beautiful additions and will complement the loaches superbly.

Feeding – Hillstream loaches need a varied diet. They will naturally browse on benthic algae that contains aufwuchs, but supplement this with such as cucumber, courgette, blanched spinach, plus meaty foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Daphnia and small sinking pellet foods.

We recommend:

We always aim to supply the fish as close to the purchase size as possible. On rare occasions if this is not possible we will contact you.

The fish are selected at random however you are welcome to make a note on the order and the fish manager will do his best for you, requests are dependent on stock at the time of your order.