New little (for now) friend for the tank

[angelmom]

I found this little guy at a new fish store near my house. The lable on the tank said its a butterfly pleco but when I went to Planet Cat Fish the picture didn't match so now I'm on a quest to find his name. I will post a picture when I can. I for some reason seem to be having a problem tonight. It says Attachment in progress and then never goes. His body is on the flat side and his kind of circle the top then make another circle on the bottom its tail sticks out of the bottom circle. Thats the best way I can discribe it for now. The only other way I can think to discribe it.

 

[Pure]

Hmmm Butterflys are nice plecs. Sadly that is also another of the over used common names. I can't tell what kind it is by your description. For pics I find it easier to host them on www.photobucket.com then past the URL addy in the pop up box that appears when you click on the box with the mountain on it when using th quick reply.

Can't wait to see him.

 

[Seleya]

He should stay pretty little -- it is most likely a hillstream loach, a very cool fish. I've kept some in with my goldfish (they like cooler water, high 60s to low 70s and decent current) Here's a link to a profile of one sort of 'hillstream loach', does this look like him? http://www.petresources.net/fish/cyprinid/bea_kwe.html If you look close when he's on the front glass, you can see his heartbeat.

 

[angelmom]

Seleya, Thats IT!!! Now I'm worried because it says it should be in a cooler tank. Do you think it will be ok in the one I have him in and should I go get a couple of others...if they get more in it was the last one.

Pure, I tried to poste like you said but I think picture posting is down tonight couldn't post that either. but if you got to the side Seleya posted that is the little guy I picked up tonight.

It is a cute little bugger.

 

[angelmom]

Here is the picture I took.

 

[Seleya]

Yup, that's a hillstream loach.

What else is in the tank? What temp do you typically keep it at? They may do fine depending on a few variables. They also enjoy current, which tends to mean they require good oxygen content (Delta kept some in his nifty river tank; my own were in a goldfish tank with some kicking filtration/water turnover).

 

[angelmom]

I have a Penguine 200 bio-wheel powerfilter that is for up to 50 gal so it is great for keeping the tank clean and had a pretty forceful water return. I also have a bubble wall on the back of the tank. The tank is usually at around 75 or so. I have all communal fish so the aggression isn't a problem. So far from what I've seen its been hanging out on the wall of the tank mostly.

 

[PlecoCollector]

Yeah, that's a Hillsteam Loach, I love those little guys! I bought my first one under the name of "Butterfly Pleco", but after much research that was proven wrong. My first one passed away, I believe from problems with my aggressive Common pleco and a fight for the underneath part of one of my filters, so make sure your pleco and your loach don't like the same spot or you may run into problems later on. My new little guy lives with my fry and LOVES my new powerhead because of the current.

If you'd like to get more of them, I'd suggest setting up a species tank with a strong current, heavy planting, and some nice smooth surfaces for their little bodies to cling to
Good luck with yours!

 

[angelmom]

Thanks! So far it is doing pretty well. Likes the bubble wall and the walls in general. This morning I was checkin on my fish and couldn't find him anywhere. I decided to check the temp of the water because I turned the heater down a little and thats when I found it just hanging out.

 

[PlecoCollector]

There will be times that I won't be able to find mine for days- they're good little hiders

I have a Whisper i20 (20i, whatever) in my tank, and my old one used to crawl up through the waterflow and hang out in the filter. Good eating in there and a nice waterflow So don't worry if you ever can't find him, they love to find impossible to find hiding spots