I'm telling you; my Hillstream loaches are nocturnal...

I have read many posts that the Hillstream loaches are diurnal but my HL's are nocturnal...
They are behind a corner filter or a piece of driftwood with some anubias petite attached to it all day long. Been only 9 days since I got them so maybe they're still getting acclimated to their surroundings? They start to cautiously come out about an hour before the lights turn off by timer... When the lights turn off they start to roam and zoom around all over the tank. On the glass for algae and over the slate where I leave their spirulina tab... I can see them because I leave my tv on and use that as a light source. Hoping they come out during the day soon...


Sorry for the bad picture.
This pic is taken with my cellphone after lights are off on the tank and tv on in background...

 

If you feed once in the morning & again in the evening, the Loaches will eventually get accustomed to the schedule & be active day & night.

 

Been only 9 days since I got them so maybe they're still getting acclimated to their surroundings? They start to cautiously come out about an hour before the lights turn off by timer... When the lights turn off they start to roam and zoom around all over the tank.

It may take several weeks for the behavior to change. Even other types of fishes that I bring home will only be active at night when all the lights are off when they are supposedly diurnal. That's when they feel safest until they get acclimated and adjusted to the environment.

 

Thanks for the replies and info about the HL's; A201, cjcummings... Appreciate it.

 

How are your loaches doing? Do they look like these? Mine are out all day and I’m wondering if you have a different type.

 

Yes my HL's are just like those. They're doing great now and come out when they see me because they know they will get some food...

 

What are you feeding? I’m feeding the tank flakes and an algae wafer daily

 

I feed my HL's some bug bites, shrimp pellets, and algae wafers as well. On the weekend I put in a zucchini for them...