Hello, I received some new Reticulated Hillstream Loaches today and two have an unusual red area visible on their bottom area. Is this something to be concerned about? I’ll post some pictures. Thanks for the help
Red area on bottom of Reticulated Hillstream Loach
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I have never had one look like that. I do know they seem to prefer softer substrates and need high dissolved oxygen. I think I would lower the temp or add more flow to get the oxygen up as a first step. See if the spot seems to go away. Maybe add a smooth rock or log to give them a break from the stone just in case it's some kind of irritation.
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Now that you mentioned, yeah, it's not good, especially because I don't see much of any other surfaces for them besides glass and the hiding place. ChadL, get some rounded substrate and spread on top of the coarse one. Also get some more hardscape, like smooth stones and wood, or more round houses like the one you have.
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They were just delivered when I originally posted so the substrate did not have a chance to have an effect yet. That being said they don’t seem to have a problem with it. The tank is also planted, so they zoom around on the leaves, the sides of the tank, the moss balls and a few other smooth areas. They also seem to enjoy stirring up the seachem flourite. Of course when I go to take a pic they are everywhere but the bottom .
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It could be that they were removed wrong from their previous tanks, causing the injury. There is a neat trick with a credit card to get them to let go and fall into a net without injury. Either way you will see faster healing and more over all activity as you continue to provide them more comfortable places to hang out. In my limited experience I have seen them happiest and most active on sand and driftwood with good flow.
Great to hear that they are doing better. Sounds like they are on the mend.
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Hi. I m still beginner, but have learn a lot in short time and this is my own perception. Have always had this Sewellia Lineolata. One of them have small red spot.I do not have any sharp stones in tank. Also bottom sand is smooth river sand what fish can eat, like Kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii). Stones and wood are smooth too. I keep hinger temperature fish in same tank and always worry Hillstream Loach, because they are first who react because too high temperature (25 celsius). So reason is temperature combine low flow. Remember also than this fellow need rich oxygen level "warmer water got less oxygen". Water flow lowering temperature too. Summer is coming here quite late and now is hotest time here so it is time to put heating lower and leave tank lid off.
I m gonna move them to Atyopsis moluccensis tank for summer, because there is more natural food for them and both like hinger water flow. But that tank is dark water tank. I m not sure yet how Hillstream Loach like darker water. At least my guppy, or Molly does not like it. But i m quite sure that most fish prefer darker water like swamp color if they are not hard water fishes.
Too sharp stones, too less oxygen, too less plants, this loach need friends, but not same species because this is 1 Hillstrem loach tank size, this tank can only handle food for one. If u keep that light on 10 hours a day (max) Hillstrem need cover and shadows using real plants. Tank also look too sterile, there is no working circle yet and bacterin levels on bottom or glass. U cant put Hillstrem in this fake steril environment. Fish tank need grow bacterians with real plants and soil material under fine sand. Hillstream loach like to dig in fine sand (smaller than 0,4 mm) and sand should be smooth river sand.
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