Care
The Hillstream Catfishes of the genus Glyptothorax have a widespread distribution, from Turkey eastwards to India and China, and south towards Indonesia. These streamlined bottom-dwellers inhabit highly-oxygenated torrential waters in hillstreams and river rapids, and have a special thoracic adhesive apparatus (folded pleats of skin along the underside of the body) which allow them to maintain position and feed in strong currents. This specialised rheophilic habitat must be replicated in the home aquarium if Hillstream Catfish are to thrive. Extra powerheads (in addition to the return flow from filters) can be used to create a river type effect; the surface of the water should be visibly moving to ensure that there is a high amount of oxygenation within the water at all times. An additional air-pump is also a handy back-up (but should not be relied upon as the sole means of oxygenation, as it is not enough). Without such a combination of cooler-than-average water temperature and high level of oxygenation, these catfish will not fare well. It is important to provide a soft sand substrate in order to protect the impressive but delicate sensory barbels, and be sure to make a good number of shady hiding places available such as slate caves, driftwood, and PVC pipes for these nocturnal fish to take refuge in during the day - as they do not enjoy bright lighting. Glyptothorax spp. are peaceful and can be kept in groups, but do provide several shady refuges per fish. Adding a blue moon light to your aquarium (which switches on just before the main lights go out) will allow you to spend time observing them under their preferred subdued lighting. Adding some suitable "dither fish" to the aquarium may also encourage them to venture out a little more during the daytime, and some of the medium sized species from the barb, Barilius, Danio, and Rasbora families make great companions, as do balitorid hillstream loaches. Plants can be incorporated into this type of specialist aquarium, but not all species will cope well with fast current. Having said this, many aquarists have had a good deal of success with Anubias species, Java moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri), Java fern (Microsorum sp.) and some species of Cryptocoryne. Plants are not found in great abundance in the natural habitat of the Hillstream Catfishes, so are not considered essential, but they will help with water quality and will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing. Frequent partial water changes are essential for keeping nitrogenous wastes to a minimum.
Feeding
Must be provided with a variety of small, meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, black mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc. Over time, some specimens may eventually take sinking pellets, but most tend to shun dried foods so make sure you always have plenty of frozen foods to hand. If there are other fish present in the tank, make sure your Glyptothorax spp. are not missing out, target feeding near their caves using a baster if necessary, and offering some foods after lights out.
Breeding
Hillstream Catfishes have not been bred in the home aquarium.
