White-cheek Hillstream Loach Care Guide
Sewellia albisuera is a flattened hillstream loach adapted to fast, oxygen-rich streams, grazing biofilm and requiring strong current in aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sewellia albisuera is a hillstream loach with a depressed, laterally expanded body that lets it cling to rocks in swift current. Like other members of the genus it has white markings on the cheeks. Its flattened shape is a hydrodynamic adaptation for life in fast-flowing water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Balitoridae
- Genus: Sewellia
- Scientific name: Sewellia albisuera
Habitat
Sewellia species occur in fast-flowing mountain streams of the Mekong drainage in Laos and Vietnam, including the Sekong River. They inhabit rapids and riffles with high current velocity over rocky substrate, where biofilm develops on submerged stones. Such waters are cool and highly oxygenated.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 20-25 °C (68-77 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Water flow: high, well-oxygenated
- Group size: 4 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
The species is a herbivore and biofilm grazer. In nature its diet is composed largely of benthic algae (aufwuchs) and associated micro-organisms attached to rocks. Aquaria require a plentiful supply of algae-covered surfaces; supplementary algae wafers and blanched vegetables can be offered.
Compatibility
It is peaceful but can be mildly territorial; keeping a group reduces friction. Best companions are other hillstream loaches or species that share the same fast, cool, oxygen-rich conditions. Avoid slow-water fish that cannot tolerate strong current.
Conservation status
By the genus account, Sewellia albisuera is listed as Critically Endangered, reflecting the pressures on its restricted hillstream habitat.
White-cheek Hillstream Loach (Sewellia albisuera) Breeding Guide
Overview
Sewellia albisuera is a hillstream loach of the genus Sewellia, family Gastromyzontidae. Members of the genus inhabit shallow, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated headwaters and tributaries with rocky substrates. According to Seriously Fish, Sewellia are considered among the easiest hillstream loaches to breed in captivity, with early reports of fry appearing in external filters or mature community tanks.
Sexing
Females have a comparatively broad body with a snout running almost continuously into the pectoral fins. Males are slighter, with a much squarer snout shape and pectoral fins emerging at almost right angles. Mature males develop rows of soft, raised tubercles on the anterior portion of the first five to six pectoral-fin rays — nicknamed 'fences' by hobbyists — with additional rows on the head.
Breeding Setup
A group of adults is maintained in shallow, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated water over rounded river gravel containing nooks and crannies. The gravel provides crevices where eggs settle and are protected from predation, mirroring the natural rocky-stream habitat.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship is male-initiated and involves circling, mouthing the female's dorsal surface and pushing to dislodge her into open water. During spawning the pair rise into the water column with pectoral fins entwined and release eggs and milt directly into the flow, usually where the current is strongest. Raising temperature to 25-26 °C (77-79 °F) followed by cool water changes can trigger spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs develop in the gravel interstices. Initial fry diet consists of infusoria, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm. Fry can remain with the adults once they reach approximately 5 mm in length.