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Sewellia lineolata - Tiger Hillstream LoachMagyarul / Hungarian
Sewellia lineolata - Tiger Hillstream LoachSewellia lineolata - Tiger Hillstream LoachSewellia lineolata - Tiger Hillstream LoachSewellia lineolata - Tiger Hillstream Loach
  • Scientific name: Sewellia lineolata
  • Synonyms: Balitora lineolata
  • Common name: Gold Ring Butterfly Sucker, Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Tiger Hillstream Loach
  • Group: Loaches
  • Habitat: Asia; Central Vietnam
  • Size: 5,5-6,5 cm
  • Biotope: Found in shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated hillstreams over the rocky substrate.
  • Social behavior: Peaceful with other fish, but with similarly-shaped fish such as Gastromyzon, Hypergastromyzon and Sinogastromyzon can be a little territorial, although physical damage is rare.
  • Diet: Omnivorous; in nature they eat algae and micro-organisms, sometimes insect larvae. In aquarium they accept good-quality dried foods, especially spirulina.
  • Breeding: Quite easy
  • Tank: Minimum 70 litres
  • Population: 4-5 fish for 100 litres
  • Decoration: Most importantly the water must be clean and well-oxygenated. The tank should have a good filter with fast current (20 times of the water volume per hour). Use gravel substrate, with some larger rocks and pebbles. Roots or driftwood branches can be added to the tank with Java fern or Anubias attached on them. Lighting should be bright to encourage algal growth in the aquarium.
  • Temperature: 20-24 °C
  • pH: 6-7.5
  • Hardness: 1-10 NK°
  • Lifespan: 5-6 years

Description: Tiger Hillstream Loach has a graphic mottled pattern on its dorsal surface of head and body with a series of 3-5 dark stripes on the body. Their bodies are specialized to exist in high-current areas, where they live amongst rocks and driftwood. The adult body shape is flattened, with the overlapping pectoral and pelvic fins spread out to the sides like butterfly wings. Color and patterning may vary depending on collection locality.

Females are broader in the body than males, who have a more slimmer form when viewed from above. Sexually mature males develop a fringe of small tubercules along the leading edge of the head and the first few rays on the pectoral fins. The transition between the fin and body is at a much sharper angle in the male, more flowing in the female. Breeding is quite easy in a separate tank with an air-powered, sponge filter and a substrate of large rounded rocks with lots of nooks and crannies. These rocks will provide refuge for the eggs and the fry, also organic detritus are piled up among them, which a food source for micro-organisms that are eaten by fry. Spawning can be initiated by raising the temperature to 25-26 °C before conducting a cool water change, but usually the water change will do the trick. Before the courtship the male will display to the female and chase her. When a female is ready to spawn, the male will circle around his potential partner. The male is mouthing the dorsal surface of the female, and pushing of his head into her body while tries to dislodge her into open water. The act itself occurs in the water column with pectoral fins entwined before eggs and sperm are released directly into the water flow. In nature the fry will develop in quieter waters before migrating upstream to join the adults. Once fry are spotted it is important to provide suitably-sized food items. The body shape of the fry is less laterally-compressed than in adults and the pectoral and pelvic fins are also relatively short so the young are unable to cling to surfaces in the same way as adults.