Otocinclus vs Hillstream Loach - Which is Better?

Find out which algae eater is the best little helper in my planted aquariums. 💚
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0:00 May the best algae eater win
0:46 Size comparison
1:04 Minimum school size
1:20 Minimum tank size
1:34 Cost of otocinclus vs hillstream loach
1:54 Wow factor of oto cats vs hillstream loaches
2:22 Temperature requirements
2:49 Temperament or disposition
3:34 Diet and food preferences
4:29 Types of algae that otos and hillstream loaches eat
5:35 Ease of breeding
6:08 Results: who is the best algae eater?
#girltalksfish #nanofish #plantedaquarium

[@matthewetheridge4179]

"Cory from aquarium co-op accidentally breed them in the mid 80s" Me working in Celsius took too long to realise she didn't mean the 1980s lol

[@drshrutikakankariya1017]

me too

[@johncameron4194]

Same

[@johnsonaquatics]

🤣🤣

[@Chii1990x]

In Vietnam, the oto were import from Thailand and hillstreams are local. So with 1 oto price cost, we can buy 5 hillstreams =))

[@jakedonovan2602]

That’s absolutely hilarious !! Here in Canada an Oto at my local shop is 5.99 Canadian and the Hillstream loach is 18.99 Canadian lol !!!

[@FireAndFoodCompany]

@@jakedonovan2602 jeez, where do you live in Canada? They're like 7 dollars here in Montreal. Can't find otos for the life of me though

[@itssziq9667]

Wow here in singapore its price range is from $3 to $4

[@itssziq9667]

with ottos being $1.50 to $2

[@jasonlim2508]

@@itssziq9667 yeah

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

I would prefer hillstreams, they are more interesting and generally more hardy. Tank size depends on type. Chunky bois need 20 or more. Panda loaches (type of hill stream loach) or some other species that stay small should be fine with 10 gallons.

[@mrfish.-]

The panda garra is also my favorite.

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

@@mrfish.- yes pog.

[@mjaned0528]

@@thehornwortofhornwort9832 POG

[@Kday-tm8dj]

I think hill streams look so interesting! I might have to keep them one day...

[@kinglyzard]

They're great, and easily kept.

[@curtisstroud3]

I have 1 in with my fantail goldfish and they do great together. I've even seen them sleeping beside one another

[@shortymcshortfaceVT]

I have 2 with my fantail goldfish and some platys and they're so fun to watch

[@hormborey8233]

But cold water fish

[@davidreynolds3082]

We bought 2 Oto's for our 2ft tank and they stripped 90% of our brown algae bloom in 48hrs flat! They're great characters too, one likes to occasionally shoal with our golden Danios. They clean and buff your plant's leaves and bogwood as well as the tank's glass.

[@donaldsoles4259]

This is somehow exactly the video I was looking before, even before I knew it existed! Thanks!

[@theclosetbetta9146]

I love otocinclus! I’m considering to get the hill stream loach though! They look super cool!

[@jrcell5832]

From my experience I’d do hillstream my ottos hardly ever come out

[@yolandimeintjes1182]

I love my 3 Hillstream Loaches. They are amazing. 1 male with 2 females, get along very well. Very playful and really do clean my tank, I have never had an algae problem.

[@theclosetbetta9146]

Ah great!! I might have to get them too.

[@ThisCallumPerson]

thats wonderful! Do you feed them anything else? I just got a pair and I don't see them searching for food much.

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

@@ThisCallumPerson Boiled courgette, Rapashy.

[@zyonix120]

Your video was what finally convinced me to get the Hillstream loaches, and I love them so much! They have been my dream fish for years, so when I learned they were relatively easy to care for I ordered some from my local pet store, it's been nearly a month and they are a lively addition to my tank, I couldn't believe how crazy they get with food, I love watching them and their hilarious displays of aggression (they have places to hide if they don't want to be aggressed) so I guess thank you for making these videos 🥰

[@brandonsaquariumsandterrar8985]

I have a hillstream loach and he is awesome 😎

[@meaghanb9118]

Wow! This came out right at the perfect time! I am prepping my lists for my new tank and have been working on clean up crew choices! Thank you!!

[@edwinreyes7699]

Thank you so much for the info., this is exactly what I needed to hear. I been eyeing on some hillstream and pandas for my setup I chose both of them.

[@marksguitars5617]

great video, Irene, I'm planning out my nano tank now 15 gallons, this will help me decide on algae eaters! Thanks and have a great weekend

[@curlyq4329]

I got a new tank for Christmas and the Hillstream loach is on my wish list! I am head over heels in love with how it looks and acts in these vids. Thanks for all the great info! I started keeping planted tanks this year, and your vids have helped me so much! You are so honest about your experiences and your advice is always helpful. Couldn't have done it without you!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I just want them both!! They are both so lovely and such interesting little fish! I truly appreciate the work you put in Irene to show us the care and what to expect with owning these gorgeous fish! Another great video! Love you bunches you are such an inspiration! Have a very blessed day! 🙏♥️🌿🐟🌿💚

[@ih3966]

Fantastic. Exactly what i was looking for

[@markmmcaulay]

Love your videos. I've been doing this for a lot of years... I always turn to your channel for your experience. I tend to complicate a one car funeral, your experience saves me from needless complications

[@ErikWhyRock]

I love Otos!! They are great at cleaning leaves and love veggie wafers

[@kinglyzard]

So do Hillstreams.

[@ErikWhyRock]

Come to think about it, so do snails. I guess it comes down to your personal preference.

[@liesbethforster3285]

Thanks for including Celsius for my British brain and I saw on another one of your vids you had liters 😁 keep up the great content 💓

[@weaverdc292]

I love the Otocinclus catfish and I've recently found out about the Hillstream Loach. In anything you've only convinced me that I definitely need some in my tank!

[@besthobbit]

I love hillstream loaches. They are so dang cute.

[@maltesephil]

having seen this i'll give hillstream loach a try. thanks

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

Awesome video as always, thanks Irene! I love them both but the loaches are my favorite. Along with my dwarf petricola catfish, they are my two favorite fish in my community tank.

[@stevemcgrath6996]

Thankyou very much. I'm considering getting either Otis or Borneo Suckers (Hillstream Loaches) and this was very informative and answered all the questions I had about the two.😀

[@mindtwister1984]

Great review! Very helpful to hobbyist.

[@kiransooful2791]

Thanks for adding doing the conversion to Celsius! You could also try Borneo sucker fish - similar to the Hillstream loach. When they spar or try to show dominance on a rock, they can change colour on the spot. They're happy on their own or in groups if your tank is large enough,

[@Cory_Dora]

I have a hillstream loach and hes a champ! Tough, beautiful, easy to feed and always enjoyable to watch. I do love otos too and I’d love to have some in a large tank but I do worry about their more specialized diet. Thank you so much for this video. I always learn something. 😍

[@shesellsfish]

I've had ottos before. They were great, but I've always wanted to try hillatream loaches. Looking at a 50g long in the future, seems like the perfect opportunity to get some hillstreams after the aquarium gets planted and seasoned well. 👍💓👍

[@veronicaberkenbosch7157]

Thank you so much for these awesome, informative videos!!! I think I'll put Hillstreams loaches in my 65gal planted community aquarium and otocinclus in my 10gal, planted bett tank. Thanks again!!

[@johnsonaquatics]

Interesting video. Love it! 👍

[@raventhomas3998]

I love my ottos. My grandson calls them baby sharks. Never kept hillstream loaches yet. love your videos. 😄👍

[@twunderaquatics1770]

My favorite algea eater are Panda Garras. They are funny and curios fish.love them. Liked.

[@OneEyedOneHornedGian]

I used to have a hillstream loach. Was my favorite fish in the aquarium. I now have otocinclus and they are kinda cute, bit mostly wanting to get shrimp and most other fish seem to go after them.

[@scotthopkins2235]

I have had both in the past. The Oto seemed much hardier back then and I believe that had to do with the Hills being a newer fish back in the 80s and called Butterfly Plecos. I think they were more wild caught back then and the temp is what did them along with the high currents they were used to not being in aquariums. I think Most hill stream loaches are now bread in America that we see in stores. So, over the years they have adapted to warmer water and slower currents.

[@kolbyhood1487]

Your tanks are so beautiful I could never😭😭

[@sonichunter3966]

don't worry bro u'll get there

[@jimmysirlonewolflauritsen1831]

I have had both and love the behavior of them both. So which I would choose for my tank, would have to be up to the hardscape, temperatures and tank mates.

[@jessicahinman1338]

I've never had either. But a combination of panda garra, corydora, and snails has been keeping my tanks pretty algae free.

[@rb1164]

Good video...I have some Otos but I will be grabbing a bunch of hillstreams when the LFS has them in. I can always use help keeping the tank cleaner.

[@KOKOBC]

The hill streams looks so cute, I’m going to get 3 for my 75 gallon

[@IluvTaylorSwift11027]

I love my hillstream loaches! Their personalities are the best! Have two and I can actually tell them apart by personalities!

[@NORIaquaCh]

In my experience, neither of them do well on algae. I found clithon/horned nerites with the help of the Siamese Algae Eater and Pygmy Corydoras for algae and excess foods on the substrate. I swap out the SAE with my local fish store every few months once it grows to size. Thank you as usual Irene for the awesome videos. Seeing your upbeat personality and videos is somewhat soothing as if smothers out the miserable situation it is out there.

[@staceysmallwood6167]

I have both. My otocinclus is in my 20g long with cherry shrimp. Hillstream loaches (mine are the borneo subtype) are in a 29g planted community. I love watching both. I agree with the points you made on these! I must have gotten a steal on the loaches for $5 a piece (have 3). I definitely think otocinclus come in to LFS in worse shape. I lost 2 of my 5, which I plan on replacing. I guess my favorite is the loach for that reason alone. But I love the little otos too!

[@byrguy1295]

You are right my Otto's are not going after a couple types of algae in my newer tank. Some brown hair is now starting to grow on plants and I've always had a little bit of the hard green algae on the glass that they don't eat.

[@hampton1315]

I knew it! I might get some otos, for my 20 gallon but i will have to see. I really like the detailed depth of each species. I already ordered from aquarium co-op and can't wait to get plants.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, you are an excellent guesser!

[@litoloco4fish]

Beautiful video! Your so informative in all your videos..both those specimens are so cute and your correct the loaches do resemble a little stingray ..💝 Just ordered a mug and beautiful blue tee shirt for my daughter..she really liked the look of it because both the girl and the fish on shirt and mug look identical to her 😅👍🏼..so kool..

[@michaelfox6820]

I have a pair of hillstream loaches, but they appear to be different species. I have seen them "spar" like in Irene's video, but most of the time they are in different parts of my 20 gallon long aquarium. They are neat looking, fun to watch and easy to care for. I keep my aquarium at 22C, but it was previously unheated and they did well at 20. As far as algae goes, I had a bit of an infestation of black beard algae, and they weren't able to control it. I went to a mix of Flourish Excel and hydrogen peroxide spraying of the most infected plants (out of water). I ended up removing the worst leaves, and while there is still some algae there, it is under control.

[@natetinsley3119]

You literally have all of the fish I want/have.

[@scottlindsay856]

I haven't had luck with Otos, Cory's and Plecos seem so much easier. I'm going to pick up a HL and see how that goes. Thanks for a great video :)

[@mikef3300]

I really like both of these fish. Oto’s are readily available in the local fish stores around me but the hill stream loaches were hard to get ahold of for me. They were also 19$ per fish so you’re spot on with your cost estimate. My hill stream’s were sold to me as zebra hill stream loach and look totally different than the ones you keep. More of a spotted pattern than stripes so no clue why they were called zebra 😝 Great video 👍

[@remhk6672]

I've only had otos. I've been trying to find hillstream loaches at my LFS including the big chain stores in my area. But, otos are very efficient in cleaning off diatom. They work overtime keeping my tank from being completely over taken by algae. They're very fun to watch and definitely have some personality. I find it hard to feed otos any algae wafers though. They love the biofilm on driftwood and their bellies always fat and round.

[@rachel3065]

I wish i had gotten more hill stream loaches when they had them they are the CUTEST but they were like £15 🥵 knowing how cute they are and how they eat i NEED more but they are all sold out 😭 i have kept both (even in the same tank!) and they loved eachother 🥺 my hillstream loach is fav i love her 10/10 would recommend to ANYONE

[@vire559]

There are 5 types of Hills stream that i know with similar body: 1. Butterfly 2. Reticulated 3. Spotted 4. Borneo Sucker (bluefin tail) 5. A hybrid between those species I think it is the best to tell us which species did you have so we will know what you said is for that particular species.

[@shadowhunter7167]

I absolutely love my loaches. I have 2 reticulated hillstreams and one spotted and one striped Bornean. Beautiful little creatures

[@GirlTalksFish]

I love them too! Very interesting, energetic, and unique looking. So far, I've kept three different kinds of loaches, and they're starting to become one of my favorite types of fish.

[@laurag1076]

I love my Otto's!

[@AgressiveInliners]

I love my hillstreams. They are sooo fun!

[@jamielisinski6820]

My LFS never have hillstream loaches. Did you get yours online?

[@Wolfson47]

I have both types and love them. But my favorite is the Hill Stream, so much personality and very active. I did set up a 63 gallon tank for Hill Streams, lots of smooth rocks and strong water flow, but they never bred

[@fishmanc5357]

I was literally looking at ordering an Otto last night...now I think the hillstream loach is the right way to go thanks 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dpowers2005]

Same. Definitely going with hillstream loaches now. They'll fit my needs better.

[@debrasanders1985]

I have both, love them

[@GirlTalksFish]

Ditto! 🥰

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

Very interesting... I have both in different tanks. I hadn't decided which is better, though.

[@Hello-zh8yh]

Hey Irene, for your next breeding project, could you consider any type of killifish? It would be super interesting, and as always, great video!

[@stevenfletcher888]

I've been wanting to get hillstream loaches for a long time now!

[@shortymcshortfaceVT]

They're quite expensive for such a small fish but they're so worth it, I have two. they don't really fight, they just chase each other around once in a while.

[@tonyhind6992]

I have both. I am a Hill stream loach lover

[@James-9999]

I love both a lot and currently own both, but rainbow goby has to be my favorite algae eater

[@brookeslackta0229]

I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!! I love the way you construct your videos. You are Top notch ❤

[@RockMongler]

I keep both! Otos, hillstream loaches (in particular Beaufortia Kweichowensis from aquahuna) and cherry shrimp in a 20 wide, and as long as I don't let stuff get too far out of whack, that combo does a great job of clearing out of all kinds of algae. Once I got my nutrient/light stuff in balance, that trio was able to clear up staghorn, black beard, string and pretty much any other excess algae I had growing. For temps, I keep my tank at "room temperature". That means right now in the winter, its gonna be ~68-70, and in the summer, it will probably be closer to ~74-76, and the (lone) oto seems to be doing good in these conditions. I want to get another few otos to give them that comfort in numbers, but my initial batch of 4, only this single one made it past the first 2 weeks, and my local stores haven't been getting a lot of otos in.

[@StarlightBettas]

i got otocynclus not too long ago, they're ADORABLE. they're like little sucker sharks

[@jennylynne4414]

I've only had Oto's but I really want to try the Hillstream Loaches. I will never give up my Oto's completely though. I love the way they wiggle around.

[@V1kte]

Hillstreams are amazing wigglers too :)

[@jenxu2]

Hi Irene! I love your videos. I am leaning towards Hillstream loaches for 29 gal high setup. I am borrowing plants from my other tanks (2) . I love the "octopus" plant you have in the tank. How easy is that to care for? I have 2 in my cart and really want to buy them! I also watched your 10 gal aquascape video....I have an empty 10 gallon! You have inspired me.

[@pelhamsaquatics]

I’m going for the hillstream loaches🙂👍🏻

[@sarayparay]

They're both sooo cute! I actually have 4 otos and 1 Hillstream Loach in my 20 gallon. I'm super happy with that decision. Thank you very much for this video!

[@sarayparay]

What type of food would you recommend for an Otocinclus? :)

[@sarayparay]

Nevermind! I went to see your Oto video! Getting them Repashy Soilent Green.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol, sorry that I was slow on the response! It took about a week or two for my otos to get used to Repashy but now they love it above any other food. That's how I get their bellies so round and fat. :)

[@dwayneparsons543]

I have both Otociclus and Hilstreams in different tanks. I find that they are both very selective in what algae that they eat. I have Otociclus with Cherry and Amano shrimp that get along just fine. I also have them in another tank with live bearers (Hifin Sunset Variatus Platties, Guppies and Endlers). I use the the Hillstreams in a Goldfish/Denison Barb (cold water) community tank and will be adding some to warm water tank of Threadfin Rainbows to see how that works.

[@paddywackyakkaydaddy]

Nice community tank👍

[@DOGandotheranimals]

I like both otocincolis and hillstream loaches

[@natetinsley3119]

You're awesome Irene 👌

[@RoccosVideos]

I'm trying to decide which ones to get. This video was very helpful. I was leaning towards getting otocinclus but now I'm thinking hill stream loaches would be a better fit.

[@JustMe-os2yr]

I love love love hillstream loaches, however mine are more into biofilm than actual algae. I’m looking into ottos

[@kinglyzard]

Try quality algae biscuits. They love those. I recommend Omega One Algae Rounds or any other quality biscuit that has kelp, Spirulina, and some other sea derived food as the first three or four ingredients. I avoid crap that has corn or potato meal. Wheat is ok as a binder, but should be way down on the list.

[@AnthonyHernandez-zj5vw]

I love them both but if it's a matter of a more efficient add with what I already have, I would go with a few reticulated hillstreams

[@flametitan100]

I definitely prefer the look of the otos, and probably going to get more to help better fill out my 20 gallon.

[@langenandanimals]

I love hillstream loaches, I would love to keep some one day.

[@kinglyzard]

I had one in my 65g tank. He fit in fine, eating breakfast with the most boisterous (but not aggressive) of fish. I love how they flutter while eating. I unfortunately lost him to an A/C outage and a string of 90+days :-(>

[@langenandanimals]

@@kinglyzard aww I'm sorry you lost him! Thats the worst

[@chrisgan1797]

Great vid! Pls make vid of oto vs siamese algae eater

[@sionghua]

Over here in Australia they are both about the same price - AUD12-18. I guess I should go for the hilstream loaches - called Borneo Sucker here.

[@aminafatimapablo8196]

Man, you ended up convincing me to pick hillstream loach over otocinclus hahaha but many said that otocinclus can clean algae in small corner n stuff that hillstream couldn't and to plants so that's why I thought of getting otocinclus. Tbh, I'd like to have them both in my community tank along with panda corydoras, cardinal tetra(said to be hardier than neon tetra) and lastly betta- The thing is, I haven't experience taking care of fish or any aquarium but I do remember seeing my parents have one big n long aquarium when I small with goldfish in it (they sold the tank rip haha) so being a complete beginner. I'm afraid but I really want it to work so these past weeks, I've been researching and learning bout the fishes that I'd like to have, appropriate tank for them and everything I needed for maintenance, variety of food, set of medical kit or something for them before starting haha I'd like to start with a 20 gallon tank but I guess I can't have all those fishes in it since it might be overcrowded in the tank

[@mykschafe4728]

My Otto is somewhat aggressive to the Julii Corys and will chase them around the tank. I have found him to be an amazing cleaner of all the live plants and other surfaces.

[@scottmerrow7617]

Otocinclus and ramshorn snails are currently taking care of all my algae non problems.

[@brianfpv623]

Thank you great vid. - I have 7 hillstream loaches ina 200 Ltr

[@michaelmachos8969]

My Hillstream Loach is an AWESOME cleaner! Had Otto's and was VERY disappointed with them. You can't beat the Hillstream Loach for looks! Almost forgot: IRENE!

[@kinglyzard]

Hillstreams are a bit hardier than Otos. The latter is prone to dying without notice :-(> Hillstreams like cooler water, but tolerate semi tropical tanks around 78-80°F just fine. They dislike high heat though.

[@michaelmachos8969]

@@kinglyzard All true! My Otto's died and Hillstream has been awesome.

[@EricLabelleUX]

Hooray! This came out just in time for me to have a second cup of coffee!!!

[@jordanbabcock9349]

Don't do it. 2nd cup is just poops!

[@michaels5705]

I'm a fan of Hillstream Loaches. I've put two of them in a 20 gal that was chocked with string algae and they had it cleaned within a week.

[@moraisins]

How did it work out with just 2 hillstreams? Do they get along well? Keep hearing to get at least 3, but 2 would be perfect 😅

[@michaels5705]

@@moraisins They left each other alone.

[@RescueDogTreats]

Hillstream loach! Thanks...

[@AnkurKordeVlogs]

Big fann💜

[@carlislejoanne]

I had one gold ring hillstream, fell in love but never seen her, I got 5 more, and they are the main attraction of my tank now, they come to the front of the tank as soon as I'm in front of it to say hello. I absolutely adore them. I have 5 of the spotty ones too now and I dont think I'll ever not have them. Mine LOVE cucumber.

[@V1kte]

My lineolata and spotted don't care for cucumber, but they LOVE peas. I think the spotted one would kill for peas if it came to it :D.

[@donaldportofee4475]

Very cool! Never heard of the hill stream loach. I might need to get a few! My otos are pretty cool if maybe a little sedentary haha

[@GirlTalksFish]

I find the same to be true too. :)

[@EarthnikNews]

In your experience, which fish are less shy? I hardly ever see my Otocynclus. I’m planning on upping the size of the tank and getting more Otos to see if that will help them feel more brave. Any problems keeping them together>

[@NAMEERKLIFTS]

Hillstream loaches look like mini sting rays, have to keep some one day, only kept Otocinculus so far

[@philipscougale2075]

I like both. I have 6 otos and 2 hillstream loaches in my 29g. My store only had two hillstream loaches or I would have more. Maybe next time.

[@ryguy3225]

both, both is good.

[@orangef3802]

I've kept both in separate tanks, and I prefer the Loaches. They have a more dynamic personality; they'll spar, move often, aren't quite as shy, and I personally think they're cute when they find food and 'flutter' their fins. They can be the focal point of the tank. Otos are just kinda there, doing their own thing, and mostly sit still. I also found them to be harder to feed as well.

[@johncameron4194]

I’d go for the hillstreams

[@brianmarshall1762]

I had some Borneo hill stream loaches in a tank and they kept finding the tiniest gaps in my lids. I had even dropped the water 3 inches from the top and taped up every thing except a small gap around the wires and air tubes. Crazy good climbers. 😕 Never had any of my ottos do anything like that thankfully.

[@thelastsamari7923]

Hillstream are some of my favorite thinking of getting 3 or a pleco or all of them you know how it is lol