All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Trakhuc Hillstream Loach

Sewellia trakhucensis

Also known as trakhuc sewellia, sewellia trakhuc, spotted hillstream loach, butterfly loach, reticulated hillstream loach, sewellia sp., セウェリア・トラクヘンシス, 琵琶鼠鱼

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A small, flattened hillstream loach with broad, sucker-like paired fins and a pale body covered in dark spots and blotches. It clings to rocks and glass in fast water, grazing on biofilm, and is kept for its unusual shape and busy behaviour in river-style tanks.

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, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Vietnam (Tra Khuc River basin, Quang Ngai Province)

Breeding

It has been bred in aquariums kept with strong flow, clean cool water and a mature biofilm, with eggs scattered among rocks and fry grazing on surfaces. Success is occasional rather than routine.

Good to know

Needs cool, very well oxygenated water with strong flow and mature rockwork, so it suits warm community tanks poorly. Several similar Sewellia species are often mislabelled in the trade.