Loaches · Sewellia
Hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata · Fast mountain streams of central Vietnam
Photo: 5snake5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Water temperature
20–24 °C 68–75 °F
pH
6.5–7.5 neutral water
Adult size
6 cm 2.4 in
Swims
Bottom mostly on the floor and in caves
Keep together
3 or more a shoal feels safe
Current
Strong fast, oxygen-rich water
Food
Grazer
Temperament
Peaceful
≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.
Where it comes from
Home water
Fast mountain streams of central Vietnam
Lives in rapids habitat.
Shaded: the countries it comes from. Map: Natural Earth.
Tank mates
Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with high flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.
Good together
-
Red lizard whiptail L010a
Plecos · 12 cm · bottom -
Blue-eye lemon bristlenose L144
Plecos · 12 cm · bottom -
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Cichlids · 7.5 cm · bottom -
Amano shrimp
Shrimp & snails · 5 cm · bottom -
Borelli's dwarf cichlid
Cichlids · 6.5 cm · bottom -
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras · 7 cm · bottom -
Butterfly hillstream loach
Loaches · 8 cm · bottom -
Celestial pearl danio
Rasboras & danios · 2.5 cm · mid-water
Keep apart
-
Need different temperatures and need a different pH and will eat the hillstream loach
-
Will eat the hillstream loach
-
Aggressive and will eat the hillstream loach
-
Need a different pH and will eat the hillstream loach
In the hobby
Where to find it
No store or breeder we know of has it right now.
Run a store? List the fish you usually have. Breed fish? List your fry.
Tanks with this fish
From keepers
They graze the stones all day.
Questions keepers ask
How big does a Hillstream loach get?
About 6 cm (2.4 in) as an adult.
What temperature does a Hillstream loach need?
20–24 °C (68–75 °F).
What pH does a Hillstream loach need?
pH 6.5–7.5.
Does a Hillstream loach need to be kept in a group?
Yes. Keep at least 3.
Is the Hillstream loach aggressive?
No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.
Where does the Hillstream loach come from?
Fast mountain streams of central Vietnam.
What fish can live with a Hillstream loach?
Good tank mates include Red lizard whiptail (L010a), Blue-eye lemon bristlenose (L144), Agassiz's dwarf cichlid, Amano shrimp, Borelli's dwarf cichlid.
All the numbers
| Temperature min (°C) | 20 | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature max (°C) | 24 | Estimate |
| pH min | 6.5 | Estimate |
| pH max | 7.5 | Estimate |
| Adult size (cm) | 6 | Estimate |
| Flow | High | Estimate |
| Habitat | rapids | Estimate |
| Smallest happy group | 3 | Estimate |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Estimate |
| Diet | Grazer | Estimate |
| Typical price min (CAD) | 10 | Estimate |
| Typical price max (CAD) | 18 | Estimate |
Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.