{"product_id":"alligator-hillstream-loach","title":"Alligator AKA Green Lizard Hillstream Loach (Homalopteroides tweediei)","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air.  If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout *\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Alligator Hillstream Loach is an interesting, peaceful, uncommon species that is distinctive for its reptilian appearance!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThe Alligator Hillstream Loach (\u003cem\u003eHomalopteroides tweediei\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the Green Lizard Loach (or Catfish), Gecko Loach, is a somewhat uncommon hillstream loach (not catfish) that is native to the Mekong River System in many countries of Southeast Asia. It is known for its variable coloration, its peaceful yet outgoing demeanor, and its fascinating social behavior with members of its own (and similar) species. This peaceful fish is an excellent candidate for the mature subtropical aquarium. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAn aquarium with heavy water flow (10-15x turnover per hour) and very clean, clear water is required for the Alligator Hillstream Loach. Unlike many other hillstream loach species, it seems to inhabit areas of moderate, rather than fast, water flow. However, like other hillstream loaches, it is sensitive to declines in water quality, so regular aquarium maintenance and maximum oxygen saturation are absolutely necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThe Alligator Hillstream Loach is primarily a micropredator. It is known to usually accept frozen and live meaty foods. This fish will also sometimes accept high-quality dry foods, but often takes a while to adapt to them, so live and frozen foods should be fed for a considerable while as this species settles into its aquarium. As long as it is kept in a well-maintained, mature aquarium with high oxygen content, the \u003cspan\u003eAlligator \u003c\/span\u003eHillstream Loach is a hardy and entertaining fish. It will not bother aquarium plants. In fact, \u003cem\u003eAnubias \u003c\/em\u003especies are an excellent plant to keep with this loach because \u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003ethis fish likes to rest on broad, flat leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThe \u003cspan\u003eAlligator \u003c\/span\u003eHillstream Loach is a very social species, so it should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Most small rasboras, tetras, hillstream loaches, and other small, peaceful fish are good tankmates for the \u003cspan\u003eAlligator \u003c\/span\u003eHillstream Loach, although this species can sometimes bully other hillstream loaches in smaller aquariums. Since they inhabit similar waterways, many smaller freshwater goby species are ideal tankmates as well. Due to its small size and diet, the \u003cspan\u003eAlligator \u003c\/span\u003eHillstream Loach can possibly be kept with invertebrates that are too large to be considered prey. Other peaceful bottom-dwelling fish are also a possibility, but care must be taken to make sure that the \u003cspan\u003eAlligator \u003c\/span\u003eHillstream Loach is not outcompeted for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat We Like About This Fish:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful coloration and interesting appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSomewhat uncommon in the aquarium hobby\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenerally peaceful disposition with fish and peaceful invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInteresting, active social behavior when kept in colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWill not harm aquarium plants \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 70° - 76° F (21° - 25° C). Higher temperatures can be tolerated temporarily with extremely high oxygen content.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 6.4 – 7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKH: 4 - 12 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum Tank Size: 25+ gallons for a small group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCARE INFORMATION:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eDiet: Micropredator. Requires live and frozen meaty foods, but might eventually also accept high quality dry foods. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eSocial Behavior: Generally peaceful, though dominant individuals (usually males) can be territorial with similar fish. This is less common in larger groups and spacious tanks that have plenty of room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eOrigin: Mekong River System of Southeast Asia (Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesian Borneo, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAverage Adult Size: 2 inches (5 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAverage Purchase Size: 1 - 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAll Aquatic Arts brand plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Aquatic Arts","offers":[{"title":"Group of 3","offer_id":28330424270934,"sku":"FISHHSLOACHALLGTR3","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Group of 6","offer_id":28330424303702,"sku":"FISHHSLOACHALLGTR6","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1163\/2672\/products\/Alligator_Loach_18.jpg?v=1740069328","url":"https:\/\/aquaticarts.com\/products\/alligator-hillstream-loach","provider":"Aquatic Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}