Hillstream Loach Care Guide
Sewellia lineolata · Moderate care · 30 gallon minimum
A ray-finned, suckermouth loach for cool, fast, oxygen-rich tanks; grazes biofilm off rocks like a tiny ray.
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How big does a hillstream loach get?
A hillstream loach (Sewellia lineolata) reaches about 2.5 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a hillstream loach a minimum of 30 gallons, with water at 68–75°F and a pH of 6.5–7.5. Keep them in groups of at least 3 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a moderate-care, herbivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a hillstream loach with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
About the hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata, the reticulated hillstream loach, is a species of fish from the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh in Vietnam.
Recommended gear for hillstream loachs
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