Common name
Reticulated hillstream loach
Scientific name
Sewellia lineolata
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Loaches
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Fast, shallow rocky streams of central Vietnam; trade batches may include similar Sewellia species
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
5–7 cm
Expected lifespan
5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 100 L for a group of five or more, with mature biofilm surfaces, strong oxygenation and multiple feeding territories
Temperature
20–25 °C
pH
6.5–8.0
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Normal aquarium lighting
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom and hard surfaces

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Sewellia lineolata. Preserve the permanent AquaNexus ID and route; retain former scientific combinations and trade names only as searchable aliases. Search names include Reticulated hillstream loach, Sewellia lineolata, Tiger hillstream loach, Gold ring hillstream loach.

Environment and housing

Mature rock surfaces, excellent water quality, good oxygenation and a secure lid; strong current is useful but stability and oxygen are fundamental

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Grazes biofilm and small invertebrates; supplement with quality sinking foods, gel foods and vegetables rather than relying on algae

Feeding routine: Offer small sinking, gel and frozen foods once or twice daily while preserving mature biofilm; inspect every abdomen for adequate condition.

Breeding and reproduction

Aquarium spawning is documented in mature systems, but exact egg placement and triggers are not consistently described; do not present a generic loach protocol as proven.

Breeding plan: Aquarium spawning is documented in mature systems, but exact egg placement and triggers are not consistently described; do not present a generic loach protocol as proven. Parental care: No reliable parental care documented.

Compatibility plan

Peaceful fish with compatible temperatures; ensure they receive food

Filtration and aeration

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult group and feeding load, with protected intakes and a flow pattern suited to the species.

Aeration: Maintain dependable gas exchange and dissolved oxygen with surface agitation or supplementary aeration while preserving sheltered resting areas.

Maintenance

Test water routinely, remove waste and uneaten food, service filtration without destroying biofilm and review stocking as animals mature.

Adult projected load

Adult projected load includes mature body mass, social-group size, territorial space, oxygen demand, feeding waste and breeding output.

Welfare and risk

Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Do not treat this as a warm-water algae cleaner. Heat, low oxygen, immature surfaces or competition can starve it while the tank still looks clean.

Main risk: Do not treat this as a warm-water algae cleaner. Heat, low oxygen, immature surfaces or competition can starve it while the tank still looks clean.

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Overridable warnings

Warnings may be overridden only after adult size, group structure, filtration, aeration, compatibility and maintenance capacity are recorded.

Sources