Aquariumloach · freshwater
Hillstream Loach: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) grows to about 3.1 in (6.5 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 30 inches long and about 18 gallons. Keep at least 6 together, at 68–75°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Needs special care. Marketed as tropical community plecos, but require cool unheated water and fast flow; suffer rapid mortality in warm stagnant tanks.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 3.1 in (6.5 cm SL)
- Minimum tank
- 30 inches long and about 18 gallons
- Temperature
- 68–75°F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- Group size
- 6+
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- semi-aggressive
- Swims
- bottom of the tank
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- intermediate
- Lifespan
- not stated in sources
Watch for: jumps, so keep a lid
Hillstream Loach tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Neon TetraAdult ~1.4 in · 70–77°F
- Cardinal TetraAdult ~1.7 in · 73–84°F
- Harlequin RasboraAdult ~2.1 in · 70–82°F
- Ember TetraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Chili RasboraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Celestial Pearl DanioAdult ~1 in · 68–79°F
- Cherry BarbAdult ~2.4 in · 68–81°F
- Rummy-nose TetraAdult ~2.4 in · 73–79°F
- Black Neon TetraAdult ~1.7 in · 73–82°F
- Lemon TetraAdult ~1.9 in · 68–82°F
Use caution
- Glowlight TetraHillstream Loach and Glowlight Tetra only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- Endler's LivebearerNeeds careHillstream Loach and Endler's Livebearer only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- Pearl GouramiHillstream Loach and Pearl Gourami only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- Bolivian RamHillstream Loach and Bolivian Ram only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- KribensisHillstream Loach and Kribensis only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- AngelfishNeeds careHillstream Loach and Angelfish only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- Sterbai CoryHillstream Loach and Sterbai Cory only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- Nerite SnailHillstream Loach (pH 6–7.5) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH.
Avoid
- German Blue RamNeeds careHillstream Loach (68–75°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Boesemani RainbowfishHillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Blood Parrot CichlidOutgrows tanksHillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (76–80°F) need different temperatures.
- Chinese Algae EaterOutgrows tanksChinese Algae Eater grows 4× longer than Hillstream Loach and may treat it as food.
- Convict CichlidNeeds careHillstream Loach and Convict Cichlid only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
- DiscusNeeds careHillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Iridescent SharkOutgrows tanksIridescent Shark eats small fish, and Hillstream Loach only grows to about 3.1 in.
- Moonlight GouramiHillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Moonlight Gourami (77–86°F) need different temperatures.
All 105 species we checked against the Hillstream Loach
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amano Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bala Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Neon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bronze Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bumblebee Goby | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cardinal Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Chili Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Killifish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Congo Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Denison Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ember Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Fancy Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ghost Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Giant Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Glass Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Gold Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Guppy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Honey Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Julii Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kuhli Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Lemon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Neon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Odessa Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Otocinclus | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Panda Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Paradise Fish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pea Puffer | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Penguin Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Peppered Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pristella Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pygmy Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ramshorn Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rosy Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Serpae Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Sparkling Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Swordtail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tiger Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tinfoil Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Weather Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Zebra Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| African Dwarf Frog | Caution | Hillstream Loach and African Dwarf Frog only share 74–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Angelfish | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Angelfish only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Angelfish can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Assassin Snail | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Assassin Snail only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Bolivian Ram | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Bolivian Ram only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Clown Loach | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Clown Loach only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Diamond Tetra | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Diamond Tetra only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Electric Blue Acara | Caution | Electric Blue Acara can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Electric Yellow Lab only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Endler's Livebearer | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Endler's Livebearer only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Hillstream Loach (1–10 dGH) and Endler's Livebearer (15–35 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Caution | Firemouth Cichlid can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Forktail Blue-eye only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Hillstream Loach (1–10 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Glowlight Tetra only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Head-and-tail-light Tetra only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Kissing Gourami | Caution | Kissing Gourami can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Kribensis | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Kribensis only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Molly | Caution | Hillstream Loach (1–10 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Mystery Snail | Caution | Hillstream Loach (pH 6–7.5) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Hillstream Loach (1–10 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Nerite Snail | Caution | Hillstream Loach (pH 6–7.5) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH. |
| Pearl Gourami | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Pearl Gourami only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Pictus Catfish | Caution | Pictus Catfish can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Rainbow Shark | Caution | Rainbow Shark can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Red-Tail Shark | Caution | Red-Tail Shark can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Sterbai Cory | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Sterbai Cory only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Three-spot Gourami | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Three-spot Gourami only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Three-spot Gourami can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Upside-down Catfish | Caution | Hillstream Loach and Upside-down Catfish only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window. |
| Variatus Platy | Caution | Hillstream Loach (1–10 dGH) and Variatus Platy (14–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Yoyo Loach | Caution | Yoyo Loach can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Avoid | Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (76–80°F) need different temperatures.; Blood Parrot Cichlid can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Chinese Algae Eater grows 4× longer than Hillstream Loach and may treat it as food.; Chinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Hillstream Loach is peaceful. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Hillstream Loach and Convict Cichlid only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Convict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Hillstream Loach is peaceful. |
| Discus | Avoid | Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Iridescent Shark | Avoid | Iridescent Shark eats small fish, and Hillstream Loach only grows to about 3.1 in. |
| Moonlight Gourami | Avoid | Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) and Moonlight Gourami (77–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Oscar | Avoid | Oscar eats small fish, and Hillstream Loach only grows to about 3.1 in. |
Care notes
Needs: High dissolved oxygen saturation, continuous unilateral flow turnover (15-20x/hr), mature biofilm on smooth river cobbles, and tight cover.
Group: Maintain in loose groups of 3 or more; territorial dominance displays and belly-to-belly topping occur over smooth rock perches.
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, semi-aggressive toward its own kind. Lives in the bottom of the tank.
Common questions
How big does a Hillstream Loach get?
About 3.1 inches (6.5 cm SL) as an adult, according to seriouslyfish.com.
What size tank does a Hillstream Loach need?
At least 30 inches long and about 18 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 20 gallon long.
How many Hillstream Loachs should be kept together?
At least 6. Maintain in loose groups of 3 or more; territorial dominance displays and belly-to-belly topping occur over smooth rock perches.
What fish can live with a Hillstream Loach?
Species that passed every check include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio.
Gear for a Hillstream Loach setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 20 gallon long (30 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 100 W for 20 gallons, holding 68–75°F.Find on Amazon →LidIt jumps. A full lid keeps it in the tank.Find on Amazon →FoodSinking food reaches the bottom before tankmates grab it.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- seriouslyfish.com /species/sewellia-lineolata