{"product_id":"blue-tailed-hillstream-loach-hong-kong-spotted-butterfly-pleco-4cm","title":"Blue Tailed Hillstream Loach Hong Kong Spotted Butterfly Pleco 4cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Butterfly Hillstream Loach is a flattened, disc-shaped fish patterned with fine dark spots and a blue-tinged tail, clinging to glass and rocks with its sucker-like fins. It grazes biofilm and algae in strong current like a miniature ray. Native to fast rivers in southern China, it suits a cool, well-oxygenated river-style aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 7–8 cm (3 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Xi Jiang basin, southern China; Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow, fast, oxygen-rich streams over rock and gravel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, mainly algae and biofilm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Algae, biofilm, algae wafers, sinking micro-pellets, bloodworm, blanched courgette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Graze constantly; needs mature algae-covered rocks plus daily feeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Other hillstream loaches, danios, White Cloud minnows, rasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow warm-water fish, large or aggressive species, food competitors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Males squabble over prime rocks; keep six or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Needs strong flow, cool water and abundant biofilm; starves in new tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, cool, highly oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 16–24°C (61–75°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–15 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Strong, 10–15 times tank volume hourly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 60 litres long, shallow footprint preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a pleco and not a tropical fish: it needs cool water, powerful flow and a mature tank thick with biofilm, and it will fade in a standard warm community. Set up smooth river stones under bright light so algae grows, add a powerhead and airstone, and fit a tight lid as it climbs glass. Females are broader; males have squarer snouts. Given a river-style tank, it is hardy and endlessly watchable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680690352505,"sku":"STF-BLUE-HILLSTREAM","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-BLUE-HILLSTREAM.png?v=1790097351","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/blue-tailed-hillstream-loach-hong-kong-spotted-butterfly-pleco-4cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}