All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Gold Ring Butterfly Sucker

Sewellia speciosa

Also known as gold ring butterfly loach, sewellia speciosa loach, butterfly hillstream loach, reticulated hillstream loach, hillstream loach, gold ring hillstream loach, speciosa loach, セウェリア・スペシオサ, 金环蝴蝶鱼, 蝴蝶平鳍鳅

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A flattened hillstream loach with broad, sucker-like paired fins and a brown body covered in golden rings and spots. It clings to rocks in fast water and grazes biofilm, making it a striking choice for river-style tanks with strong flow.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

20 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: grazes biofilm and algae; offer sinking algae wafers, repashy-style gel foods, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Vietnam (Thu Bon and nearby river basins)

Breeding

It has been bred in captivity in mature, well-oxygenated tanks with plenty of rocks, with males showing a ridged head and squabbling over territory. Eggs are scattered among stones and the tiny fry graze biofilm, so success is occasional rather than routine.

Good to know

Needs cool, very well-oxygenated water with strong current and a mature tank rich in biofilm; it does poorly in warm, still tanks. Often confused with Sewellia lineolata, which has a more striped, reticulated pattern.