TankBud

Borneo hillstream loach

Gastromyzon ctenocephalus

Also known as Borneo sucker, Spiny Head Hillstream Loach

FreshwaterFish

Borneo hillstream loach (Gastromyzon ctenocephalus)
Frank M. Greco · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–75°F
20–24°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Gastromyzontidae
Origin
Borneo

Overview

The Borneo hillstream loach is a tiny bottom grazer for a cool tank with strong, well-oxygenated flow. It is a fair choice for a keeper who has kept easier fish first.

Did you know

The suction hold of the Borneo hillstream loach comes from its flattened underside and fused paired fins. They work together like a living limpet foot, so it can graze in currents strong enough to sweep most fish off the rocks.

Caring for the Borneo hillstream loach

Give a group of Borneo hillstream loaches a well-oxygenated tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more. Use a powerhead or a strong filter return to keep the current brisk. Add smooth stones and cobbles for grazing.

Keep the temperature down, at 68 to 75°F (20 to 24°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Steady oxygen and pristine, well-filtered water matter far more to this fish than plants or decor.

It lives its whole life clinging to hard surfaces and picking at the film of algae that grows there. A mature tank with plenty of algae is important. Top up that grazing with sinking wafers, biofilm blocks and small frozen foods.

The Borneo hillstream loach is social, so keep a group of six or more. The group spreads across the rocks and glass, feeding and interacting through the day. It is completely peaceful and suits cool, fast-water tank mates such as other hillstream loaches and small danios. Breeding is not recorded in aquaria, though it is thought to scatter its eggs among stones and gravel in fast water.

Good to know

Gastromyzon ctenocephalus belongs to Gastromyzontidae, the hillstream loach family. It is a small species with a low, flattened body. Unlike the botiid loaches, it has no spine below the eye. The fish in shops are collected from the wild.

In the wild

Gastromyzon ctenocephalus is found only in Borneo. It lives in shallow, fast-flowing forest streams that tumble over rock and gravel. The water there is cool, highly oxygenated and slightly acidic to neutral.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Borneo hillstream loach is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Borneo hillstream loach need?

A Borneo hillstream loach needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Borneo hillstream loach need?

A Borneo hillstream loach is comfortable at 68–75°F (20–24°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Borneo hillstream loach eat?

A Borneo hillstream loach picks at the film of algae that grows on hard surfaces. Top up its grazing with sinking wafers, biofilm blocks and small frozen foods.

How big does a Borneo hillstream loach get?

An adult Borneo hillstream loach reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How does a Borneo hillstream loach breed?

A Borneo hillstream loach is thought to scatter its eggs among stones and gravel in fast water. Its breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

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