Do Hillstream Loaches need a heater?

No — in fact, they prefer cool water at 18–24 °C. A heater set to typical tropical temperatures (25–28 °C) would be harmful. In most UK homes, room temperature is perfect. They do need a powerhead or wavemaker to create strong water flow and oxygenation.

How does the sucker disc work?

The flattened body and modified pelvic and pectoral fins form a broad sucker disc on the underside. This allows the loach to cling firmly to smooth surfaces — rocks, glass, and even the underside of overhangs — even in very strong current. It is an adaptation to their native fast-flowing mountain streams.

What do Hillstream Loaches eat?

They graze algae and biofilm from rock surfaces. Supplement with blanched vegetables (courgette, cucumber) and algae wafers. They need rocks and stones in the tank that develop a natural biofilm for them to graze. Clean, biofilm-covered river pebbles are ideal.

Beaufortia kweichowensis

Sucker-belly loach — Hillstream Loach – Beaufortia Kweichowensis

Name: Sucker-belly loach — Hillstream Loach – Beaufortia Kweichowensis
Brand: Tropical Fish Co
SKU: K291
Price: 12.99 GBP
Availability: PreOrder

Moderate Care

Peaceful

£12.99In Stock

Hillstream Loach / Sucker Belly Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) – a fascinating flat-bodied loach adapted to cling to rocks in fast-flowing streams. The flattened body and modified pelvic fins form a powerful sucker disc. A cool-water specialist that prefers 18–24 °C — no heater needed in most UK homes.

Algae EaterCool Water FishHillstream LoachLoachsite:tropical-fish-coUnusual Fish

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name

Beaufortia kweichowensis

Adult Size

8 cm

Lifespan

6 years

Care Level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Temperature

18–24°C

pH Range

6.5–7.5

Hardness

5–15 dGH

Minimum Tank

60L

Diet

Algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, algae wafers

Water Parameters

Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors

Temperature

18–24°C

18°CIdeal Range24°C

pH Level

6.5–7.5

6.5Ideal Range7.5

Water Hardness

5–15 dGH

5 dGHIdeal Range15 dGH

The Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis), also known as the Sucker Belly Loach or Butterfly Loach, is one of the most fascinating freshwater fish available. Its entire body is flattened from top to bottom, and the pelvic and pectoral fins are fused into broad, wing-like structures that form a powerful sucker disc. This allows the fish to cling firmly to rocks even in the strongest current — an adaptation to its native fast-flowing mountain streams in southern China.

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name	Beaufortia kweichowensis
Adult Size	6–8 cm
Temperature	18–24 °C
pH Range	6.5–7.5
Hardness	5–15 dGH
Minimum Tank	60 litres
Diet	Algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, algae wafers
Temperament	Peaceful
Lifespan	4–6 years
Care Level	Moderate

Cool-Water Specialist

Hillstream Loaches are not tropical fish. They come from cool, fast-flowing mountain streams and prefer temperatures of 18–24 °C. In most UK homes, they do perfectly well without a heater — in fact, warm water (above 25 °C) is harmful to them. Pair with a powerhead or wavemaker to create the strong current they need.

River Manifold Setup

The ideal setup mimics a fast-flowing stream: smooth river pebbles, strong current from a powerhead, and highly oxygenated water. Hillstream loaches graze biofilm and algae from rock surfaces — watching them methodically work their way across a stone is endlessly fascinating. Their sucker-like body can cling to vertical glass and even the underside of rocks.

Tank Mates

Peaceful with other cool-water species. Compatible with white cloud mountain minnows, danios, and other hillstream loaches. Avoid warm-water tropical species.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co?

All fish are carefully packed and shipped with live arrival guarantee. Order today for fast UK delivery.

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Moved by UK carriers licensed to handle live animals

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Hand-packed with oxygen bags, poly box, heat pack

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Replacement or refund — just tell us the same day

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How your fish gets to you

Dispatched Tuesday, delivered Wednesday — every order tracked and insured.

Dispatched on Tuesdays by a UK courier legally licensed to carry live animals. You’ll get a tracking number on dispatch morning and live updates through the afternoon.
Hand-packed in an insulated poly box with oxygen bags and (Oct–Apr) 40-hour heat packs. £20 flat rate covers any number of fish.
Covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Tell us the same day your fish arrive with a short unboxing video — replacement or refund, no arguments. Why we need a video
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