HomeFreshwater aquarium fishLoachesHillstream loach Hillstream loach (Gastromyzon punctulatus) Scientific name: Gastromyzon punctulatus Inger & Chin, 1961 The Hillstream loach (Gastromyzon punctulatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows to about 6.5 cm (2.6 in). It is difficult to keep and peaceful and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 23–25°C (73–77°F) and a pH of 7.0. Native range: Asia, Borneo. Hillstream loach care at a glanceCare levelDifficultTemperamentPeacefulAdult size6.5 cm (2.6 in)Minimum tank75 L (20 US gal)Temperature23–25°C (73–77°F)pH7.0DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, sinking pellets, frozen foods and brine shrimp. Species factsScientific nameGastromyzon punctulatusFamilyBalitoridae (River loaches)OrderCypriniformes (Carps)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length6.5EnvironmentFreshwater; benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAsia: Borneo.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More loachesLiniparhomaloptera disparis disparisBeaufortia kweichowensisPseudogastromyzon cheniSchistura mahnertiBotia kubotaiSinibotia pulchraSee all loaches Can it live with...?Hillstream loach and Banded mountain loachHillstream loach and Bengal loachHillstream loach and Blyth's loachHillstream loach and Clown loachHillstream loach and Coolie loachHillstream loach and Dwarf botiaHillstream loach and Horseface loachHillstream loach and Pond loachHillstream loach and Redtail botia / Blue botiaHillstream loach and Reticulate loachHillstream loach and Tiger loach SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026