I tried to keep hillstream loaches in mind when I designed my pond. I have a strong current going from one end of the pond to the other, which agitates the water considerably... I've got lots of hidey holes all along the bottom, and the algae in the pond is going terrific. :P But manageable.

Do you think hillstream loaches would be okay in my pond? I know that they're not the hardiest of fish, but I also know that a lot of people try to keep them in warm, relatively still, low oxygenated water... The pond's about 50 gallons, and the loaches would be sharing with goldfish, white clouds, zebra/leopard danios...

What do you reckon?

Here's some pics of my current and surface agitation:

Most loaches would probably love your pond, Lord knows I do :)

Thanks Polaris. :D

Thing is, they're not really loaches... They're also called 'butterfly plecos'.... And they're not really plecos. They're totally different to both. :huh:

They should be ok I gues,, but happens in winter?? They might not stand the winter. Arnt the butterfly pleco the ones that were allowed for import this year or something like that?

Mango :)

It will only get to about 15C in winter... It gets direct sunlight in the afternoon... But they're coldwater fish, anyway.

I think there's two fish that have the name 'butterfly pleco'... In Australia, we mostly call them Borneo Suckers. :rolleyes: I rather Hillstream Loaches.