All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Reticulated Hillstream Loach

Sewellia lineolata

Also known as gold ring butterfly sucker, tiger hillstream loach, spotted hillstream loach, reticulated hillstream loach, butterfly loach, sewellia loach, hillstream loach, gold ring butterfly plec, セウェリア・リネオラータ, 琵琶鱼, 蝴蝶鱼

A small, flattened loach with broad, sucker-like fins and a golden body covered in a dark net of spots and lines, so it looks a little like a tiny stingray. Keepers enjoy watching it glide over rocks and glass grazing biofilm in fast-flowing, well-oxygenated tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °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, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Vietnam and Laos (central Vietnamese highland streams)

Breeding

It breeds fairly readily in mature, well-oxygenated river-style tanks, scattering eggs among rocks with no parental care. Fry graze biofilm and are often found once the tank has been set up for a while.

Good to know

Needs cool, clean, strongly flowing water with high oxygen and established rock surfaces covered in biofilm; it does poorly in warm, still tanks. Males can squabble over grazing territories but rarely cause harm.