🐡 Hillstream Loach Sewellia lineolata

The Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) is a moderate-care, peaceful species from Vietnam (cool, high-flow streams). Adults reach roughly 2.5", so plan on a minimum tank of 20 gallons. Keep the water between 68–75°F with a pH of 6.5–7.5. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 3 so it feels secure and colors up. As a herbivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Hillstream Loach

Neon TetraCardinal TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGuppyEndler's LivebearerPlatyMollySwordtailBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbWhite Cloud MinnowDwarf GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpMystery SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraRainbow CichlidPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxLeast KillifishRosy Red MinnowGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioRuby BarbMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeRed RainbowfishCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaStrawberry BettaFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidHongsloi CichlidCheckerboard CichlidEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabLyretail KillifishClown KillifishRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

Betta (male)AngelfishDiscusGerman Blue RamConvict CichlidOscarPearl GouramiClown LoachPictus CatfishSparkling GouramiMoonlight GouramiChocolate GouramiJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidDemasoni CichlidAcei CichlidAuratus CichlidPeacock CichlidFrontosaMultifasciatusChinese Algae EaterRed Tail SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirRabbit SnailBucktooth TetraGolden RamBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornRed Zebra CichlidVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus CichlidTropheus DuboisiZebra Pleco (L046)

See the full tankmate guide for Hillstream Loach →