All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Sewellia patella

Sewellia patella

Also known as patella hillstream loach, patella sewellia, reticulated hillstream loach, butterfly hillstream loach, sewellia sp., セウェリア・パテラ, 蝴蝶鱼(爬岩鳅), 斑马爬岩鳅

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A small, flattened hillstream loach with a sucker-like body and a reticulated pattern of dark lines and spots on a golden-brown background. Hobbyists keep it for its unusual shape and its habit of grazing on rocks and glass in fast, cool, well-oxygenated water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

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 and small frozen foods such as bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Vietnam (Quang Nam and nearby river drainages)

Breeding

It has spawned in well-established river-style tanks where adults scatter eggs among gravel and the fry grow up grazing biofilm. Breeding is occasional rather than routine and usually happens in mature, stable setups.

Good to know

Needs strong flow, high oxygen and cool, clean water, so it does poorly in warm, still tanks. It is often confused with other Sewellia species sold under similar names.