Reticulated Hillstream Loach
Sewellia lineolata
Gastromyzontidae
FishDifficulty: ●●●●○Data: verified
About
The Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a flattened, sucker-bodied fish from cool, turbulent, highly oxygenated streams in central Vietnam. Its disc-like ventral profile and modified fins let it cling to smooth rocks in fierce current while it grazes the film of algae and micro-organisms known as aufwuchs. Strikingly patterned with a maze of dark reticulations, it needs a mature tank, strong laminar flow and near-river oxygen levels, which places it firmly in the intermediate-to-advanced bracket.
Care
Provide strong flow, cool oxygen-rich water and smooth rocks coated in biofilm/algae; keep a small group and feed vegetable-based foods.
Diet
Aufwuchs grazer that rasps algae and biofilm from hardscape; supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen bloodworm.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (43)
Amano ShrimpBlack Ruby BarbBlack Skirt TetraBlackline RasboraBladder SnailBloodfin TetraBlue Tiger ShrimpBlue Velvet ShrimpBorneo SuckerButterfly Hillstream LoachCelestial Pearl DanioCherry ShrimpCochu's Blue TetraDenison BarbDoctor FishDojo (Weather) LoachDwarf Orange CrayfishFlame TetraFreshwater ClamGhost ShrimpGlass CatfishGlowlight DanioGold BarbGolden Dwarf CichlidJapanese Trapdoor SnailJulii CoryLeopard DanioLittle CorydorasOdessa BarbOtocinclusPanda CorydorasParaguay EartheaterPearl DanioPeppered CorydorasPictus CatfishPygmy CorydorasRubber Lip PlecoSalt and Pepper CoryScarlet BadisScissortail RasboraSiamese Algae EaterUmbrella Dwarf CichlidZebra Danio
Possible with care (133)
African Butterfly CichlidAfrican ButterflyfishAgassiz's CoryAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidAssassin SnailBamboo ShrimpBanjo CatfishBetta (Siamese Fighting Fish)Black Moor GoldfishBlack Neon TetraBlack Phantom TetraBleeding Heart TetraBlood Parrot CichlidBlue AcaraBlue Dolphin CichlidBoesemani RainbowfishBolivian RamBrichard's TeleogrammaBristlenose PlecoBronze CorydorasBuenos Aires TetraBuffalohead CichlidBumblebee GobyCelebes RainbowfishCheckerboard CichlidCheckered BarbCherry BarbChili RasboraChinese Algae EaterClown KillifishClown PlecoCockatoo Dwarf CichlidColombian Ramshorn SnailComet GoldfishCommon GoldfishCongo Dwarf CichlidCongo TetraConvict CichlidDiamond TetraDwarf Chain LoachDwarf Flag CichlidDwarf GouramiDwarf Neon RainbowfishDwarf Pea PufferDwarf RasboraElephantnose FishEllioti CichlidEmber TetraEmerald CoryEmperor TetraEndler's LivebearerFantail GoldfishFeatherfin SqueakerFestivum (Flag Cichlid)Figure-8 PufferFiremouth CichlidForktail RainbowfishGlowlight TetraGolden PencilfishGolden TetraGolden Wonder KillifishGreen Neon TetraGuppyHarlequin RasboraHead-and-Tail-Light TetraHoney GouramiJewel CichlidKeyhole CichlidKissing GouramiKribensisKuhli LoachLambchop RasboraLeast KillifishLemon TetraMacmasteri Dwarf CichlidMalaysian Trumpet SnailMarble HatchetfishMedaka RicefishMoonlight GouramiMystery SnailNeon TetraNerite SnailOranda GoldfishParadise FishPeaceful BettaPearl GouramiPenguin TetraPlatyPolka Dot LoachPort CichlidPurple Emperor TetraRabbit SnailRainbow CichlidRainbow SharkRamshorn SnailRanchu GoldfishRed RainbowfishRed Whiptail CatfishRed-Tail SharkRedhead CichlidRosy BarbRosy Red MinnowRosy TetraRummynose TetraRyukin GoldfishSerpae TetraSeverumShubunkin GoldfishSilver Tip TetraSkunk CorySparkling GouramiSpotted HoploSterbai CorydorasStrawberry RasboraStriped KribensisSunshine PeacockSveni EartheaterT-Bar CichlidTelescope GoldfishThai Micro CrabThick-lipped GouramiThreadfin AcaraThreadfin RainbowfishThree-spot GouramiTiger BarbTurquoise RainbowfishUpside-down CatfishVampire ShrimpVenezuelan CoryWhite Cloud Mountain MinnowWrestling HalfbeakX-ray TetraYoyo Loach
Avoid (95)
Acei CichlidAdonis PlecoAltum AngelfishAngelfishAuratus CichlidBala SharkBorleyi (Redfin Hap)Brevis Shell DwellerBrichardi (Fairy Cichlid)Bumblebee CichlidCalvus CichlidCardinal TetraChocolate CichlidChocolate GouramiClown LoachCobalt Blue ZebraCommon PlecoCompressiceps CichlidCrystal Red ShrimpCuckoo CatfishCylindricus CichlidCyprichromisDemasoni CichlidDemon EartheaterDiscusDogtooth CichlidDuboisi TropheusDwarf Petricola CatfishElectric Blue AhliElectric Yellow LabElongate MbunaEndlicheri BichirEven-spotted SynodontisFive-bar CichlidFrontosaGerman Blue RamGoby CichlidGolden JulieGreen DiscusGreen Spotted PufferfishGreen TerrorHeckel DiscusHongi CichlidIridescent SharkJack DempseyJaguar CichlidJohanni CichlidKenyi CichlidKoiLemon CichlidLivingstoniMaingano CichlidMalawi EyebiterMalawi HawkMarlieri CichlidMasked JulieMollyMultifasciatus Shell DwellerOcellatus Shell DwellerOrnate BichirOscarPeacock BassPeacock CichlidPike CichlidPowder Blue CichlidRed DevilRed EmpressRed TerrorRed Zebra CichlidRegan's JulieReticulated Flying FoxRostratusRoyal PlecoRusty CichlidSailfin MollySailfin PlecoSalvini CichlidSand-sifting XenotilapiaSaulosi CichlidSilver ArowanaSilver MoonySimilis Shell DwellerStar SapphireStriped Raphael CatfishSulawesi Cardinal ShrimpSwordtailTaiwan Reef CichlidTexas CichlidThreadfin PetrochromisTropheusUaru (Triangle Cichlid)Venustus (Giraffe Cichlid)Wolf CichlidZebra MbunaZebra Pleco
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Reticulated Hillstream Loach need?
- A Reticulated Hillstream Loach needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Reticulated Hillstream Loach need?
- Reticulated Hillstream Loach does best at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 4–12 °dGH.
- What group size does a Reticulated Hillstream Loach need?
- Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Reticulated Hillstream Loach suitable for beginners?
- Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.
Sources
Water & tank
Temperature20–25°C
Optimal temp.21–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Hardness (GH)4–12°d
Carbonate (KH)2–8°d
Adult size6 cm
Min. volume≥ 75 L
Min. tank length≥ 80 cm
Group size≥ 6
Swimming zoneBottom
TemperamentPeaceful
Water typeFreshwater
FlowStrong
Lifespan~8 yrs
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