PlanetCatfish.com

Well I was browsing around the LPS yesterday, hoping to find some otocinclus. Seeing that they didn't have any then, I was fascinated at this cool little pleco that was scurrying all over this small tank. I remebered seeing these before there (they are also sometimes reffered to as "Hillstream Loaches" I think), but never really contemplated getting one. I decided to get this little guy, and after purchasing it brought it home to my very-understocked 29G tank. So far it looks very happy, scooting all over scrounging for food and working on the algae.

I was doing some research online today though, and found that they like fast-current water, and also like to be in groups of 3 or more. Well my tank's filter pushes water out pretty hard and sends a fairly nice stream around that half of the tank, so I think that part of it is ok. Does anyone here know if it's really crucial to have more than one though? I wouldn't mind getting another one or two, but would like to make sure it's really necessary.

Thanks -SirC

This is a hillstream loach, not a catfish. Plus, they do not really need to have company in the form of congeners.

It's fun however if you see them chasing each other, they can move very quick.

they also can and do change their color very fast, and some species have a bright blue or red pattern in the dorsal wich I believe is used as a signal to conspicifics.

you can see them "flashing" this dorsal to each other if you keep them in a group.

But you need to keep an eye out, their territorial nature can be fierce; the lower ranking members should be able to feed and hide.