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 -
Amano shrimp
Shrimp & snails · 5 cm · bottom -
Bolivian ram
Cichlids · 8 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 -
Cherry shrimp
Shrimp & snails · 2.5 cm · bottom
Keep apart
-
Aggressive and will eat the hillstream loach
-
Want calm water
-
Need different temperatures
Angelicus L136Big white spot L142Blue phantom L128Boeseman's rainbowfishCandy stripe L015
In the hobby
In stock now
Not in stock at any store we track.
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), Amano shrimp, Bolivian ram, Bronze corydoras.
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.