All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Short-finned Sewellia

Sewellia breviventralis

Also known as sewellia breviventralis, hillstream loach, reticulated hillstream loach, butterfly loach, sewellia loach, セウェリア, 爬岩鳅

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A small, flattened hillstream loach with a sucker-like body and pale fins and body covered in dark spots and blotches on a gold-brown base. Keepers like it because it grazes rocks and glass all day and suits fast-flowing, well-oxygenated river-style tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: biofilm and algae, plus sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Vietnam (Thu Bon and nearby river basins)

Breeding

It spawns among rocks in mature, strongly flowing tanks, and the tiny fry graze biofilm. It is bred occasionally in captivity, but raising fry takes patience and a well-established tank.

Good to know

It needs cool, clean, highly oxygenated water with strong flow and will struggle in warm, still tanks. It is often sold mixed up with other Sewellia species such as S. lineolata.