Reticulated Hillstream Loach

<p>These fish have a flattened body and special fins that allow them to attach themselves to rocks and flat areas, these are unique features that they developed to adapt to their natural habitat which is rivers and streams with fast-moving waters. These features allow the fish to either navigate or stay put in the fast-moving waters they live in. To keep these fish in captivity, water pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5 and water temperature should range from 68°F to 75°F. The tank should have rocks, hiding places and smooth pebbles. This species is peaceful and can be kept in a community aquarium, also, it should be kept in groups of at least 6.</p>

<p>This species is omnivorous. It the wild it feeds on algae and on insect larvae. In captivity they can be fed with algae, dried foods and bloodworm.</p>

<p>Females are rounder while males develop growths on their head called tubercules.</p>

<p>To breed this species in captivity, the breeding tank should have a rounded gravel substrate, this allows the eggs and fry to develop without being eaten by the adults due to its nooks and crannies. To trigger spawning, the water temperature in the breeding aquarium should be raised to 77-78°F.</p>

<p>This species is native to Vietnam. It inhabits rivers and streams with fast-flowing and highly oxygenated waters.</p>

<p>The water in which these fish are packaged is different from the water in the tank, since these fish are extremely sensitive to water conditions the acclimation process is very important. This process should never be rushed. Aquarium lights should be off for at least the first 4 hours of the fish in the new tank and it should not be fed in the first 24h. There are two acclimation methods: Floating Method and the Drip Method.</p> <p>Floating method -  the aquarium lights should be off and lights in the room should be dim, the bag in which the fish is should be placed in the surface of the water to float for about 15 minutes, this allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. The bag should then be cut under the knot and the top edge of the bag should be rolled down one inch, then ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag, this step should be repeated every 4 minutes until the bag is full, then half the water of the bag should be discarded and the bag should be put to float again and ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag every 4 minutes until the bag is full. Afterwards, the Discus can be moved into the aquarium.</p> <p>Drip method – the aquarium lights should be off and lights in the room should be dim, the bag in which the fish is should be placed in the surface of the water to float for about 15 minutes, this allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. The bag contents should be poured into a 1 gallon bucket that has never been cleaned with any chemicals, the fish should be enterally submerged. A siphon, using airline tubing, should be set up and a drip line should run from the main aquarium to the bucket. Several loose knots should be tied in the airline tubing to regulate flow. Sucking the end of the airline tube that goes to the bucket will begin a siphon, the flow should be regulated to 2 to 4 drips per second. Once the water in the buckets doubles, half should be discarded and the process should be repeated until it doubles again. Afterwards, the fish can be moved to the aquarium.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p>

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