Myer’s Hillstream Loach – Pseudogastromyzon myersi | Sucker Belly Loach for Sale UK

 

Alternative Common Names:
Myer’s Hillstream Loach
Sucker Belly Loach
Red Fin Hillstream Loach
Chinese Hillstream Loach
Chinese Butterfly Pleco
Hong Kong Otocinclus

Short Description:
The Myer’s Hillstream Loach, Pseudogastromyzon myersi, is a peaceful and fascinating freshwater loach with a flat body shape, sucker-like belly and strong gripping fins. This species is specially adapted for life in fast-flowing streams, where it clings to rocks and grazes on algae, biofilm and natural surface growth. A brilliant choice for mature aquariums with high oxygen, clean water and good water movement.

Main Description:
The Myer’s Hillstream Loach is a beautiful and unusual freshwater species, perfect for aquarists looking for something different from the usual community fish. With its flattened body, wide fins and sucker-like underside, this loach is built to grip onto smooth stones, glass and wood in areas of strong current.

In the aquarium, Pseudogastromyzon myersi is best kept in a mature, well-established setup with plenty of oxygen and strong water movement. It spends much of its time grazing on algae and biofilm from rocks, wood, glass and aquarium surfaces. This makes it a very interesting and useful species, especially in natural-style aquariums or river-style tanks.

Although sometimes sold under names such as Chinese Butterfly Pleco or Hong Kong Otocinclus, this fish is not a pleco or an otocinclus. It is a true hillstream loach and should be kept in conditions designed for fast-flowing, clean, oxygen-rich water.

This species is peaceful and suitable for community aquariums with other calm fish that enjoy similar water conditions. It is best kept away from aggressive, large or very boisterous tank mates.

Key Features:
Peaceful freshwater hillstream loach
Excellent algae and biofilm grazer
Very unusual flattened body shape
Clings to rocks, glass and wood using its sucker-like belly
Ideal for mature aquariums with strong flow
Best suited to cooler tropical setups
Great choice for aquascaped, river-style and natural aquariums
Can be kept in small groups when space and filtration allow

Care Level:
Intermediate

This fish is not difficult if kept in the correct conditions, but it is not ideal for new, immature or low-flow aquariums. The most important requirements are clean water, high oxygen, stable parameters and plenty of surface area for grazing.

Adult Size:
Around 5–6 cm

Recommended Aquarium Size:
Minimum 60 litres for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred.
A longer aquarium with good flow is better than a tall tank.

Temperature:
20–24°C preferred

This species does best in cooler tropical water. Avoid very warm aquariums, especially long-term temperatures above 25°C, as warmer water holds less oxygen and can stress hillstream loaches.

pH:
6.5–7.8

Water Hardness:
Soft to medium-hard water is suitable, as long as the aquarium is stable, clean and well oxygenated.

Aquarium Setup:
The best setup for Myer’s Hillstream Loach is a mature aquarium with strong filtration, good surface movement and plenty of oxygen. Add smooth stones, rounded pebbles, slate, wood and open grazing surfaces. Bright lighting can help encourage natural algae and biofilm growth, which these fish will graze throughout the day.

Recommended setup:
Strong water movement
High oxygen level
Mature filter
Smooth rocks and pebbles
Open grazing surfaces
Clean substrate
Stable water conditions
Regular water changes
No sharp rocks that may damage the underside of the fish

Plants can be used, especially hardy species such as Anubias, Java Fern and Bucephalandra attached to wood or stones. These plants also help create natural surfaces for biofilm growth.

Feeding:
Myer’s Hillstream Loaches naturally graze on algae, biofilm and tiny food particles from rock surfaces. In the aquarium, they should not be expected to survive on algae alone. Offer a varied diet to keep them healthy.

Recommended foods:
Algae wafers
Spirulina tablets
Sinking herbivore pellets
Biofilm-based foods
Blanched courgette
Blanched spinach
Repashy-style gel foods
Occasional frozen foods such as daphnia or cyclops

Feed small amounts and make sure food reaches the bottom, especially if kept with fast-feeding tank mates.

Temperament:
Peaceful

This species is generally peaceful and spends most of its time grazing or resting on rocks, glass and wood. Males may show small territorial behaviour around favourite stones or feeding areas, but serious aggression is uncommon when enough space and grazing surfaces are provided.

Best Tank Mates:
Small rasboras
Danios
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Peaceful tetras that like cooler water
Small peaceful barbs
Corydoras, if water flow is not too strong for them
Other peaceful hillstream loaches
Small peaceful gobies
Shrimp may be kept with them, but very tiny shrimplets may occasionally be eaten

Avoid:
Large aggressive cichlids
Goldfish in poor-quality or dirty setups
Very warm-water species such as discus
Large predatory fish
Fin nippers
Fish that outcompete them heavily for bottom foods

Group Size:
Best kept singly or in groups of 3 or more, depending on tank size.
For best natural behaviour, a small group is recommended in a mature aquarium with plenty of rocks, hiding places and grazing areas.

Breeding:
Breeding in home aquariums is uncommon and not usually expected. In the right mature setup, hillstream loaches may show natural behaviour, but successful breeding is rare compared with more common community fish.

Important Care Notes:
This species must have oxygen-rich water.
Do not add to a new or uncycled aquarium.
Avoid high temperatures.
Avoid poor water quality.
Do not rely only on natural algae for food.
Acclimatise carefully before adding to the aquarium.
Keep the tank covered, as stressed fish may climb or move unexpectedly.
Use smooth décor to protect the underside of the fish.

Why Buy From Aquatropics:
At Aquatropics, we only send livestock when we are happy with their condition. All live fish are carefully checked before dispatch and packed with care for safe overnight delivery. We are a small family-run aquatic business and always aim to supply healthy, quality fish to our customers across the UK.

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Image Alt Text:
Myer’s Hillstream Loach Pseudogastromyzon myersi on aquarium glass
Pseudogastromyzon myersi Sucker Belly Loach for sale UK
Red Fin Hillstream Loach grazing on aquarium rock
Chinese Hillstream Loach freshwater algae eater
Hillstream loach in planted river style aquarium

WooCommerce Short Product Excerpt:
A peaceful and unusual hillstream loach with a sucker-like belly, perfect for mature, oxygen-rich aquariums with strong flow. Myer’s Hillstream Loach is an excellent algae and biofilm grazer and a great choice for natural river-style aquariums.

Care Summary:
Scientific Name: Pseudogastromyzon myersi
Common Name: Myer’s Hillstream Loach
Family: Gastromyzontidae
Origin: Southern China / Hong Kong region
Adult Size: Around 5–6 cm
Temperature: 20–24°C
pH: 6.5–7.8
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Algae, biofilm, sinking foods, spirulina and vegetable-based foods
Care Level: Intermediate
Minimum Tank Size: 60 litres
Best Kept: Singly or in groups
Aquarium Type: Mature, clean, well-oxygenated aquarium with strong flow