Super Suckers! Sewellia species

Sewellia are a diverse and beautiful group of fish!
Adult size 2-2.5"
pH 6-7.8
Temp 65-75
Diet Algae, insect larvae
Behavior- Dominant to each other
Instagram @msjinkzd
Website and stocklist: msjinkzd.com/stocklist/
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[@thekingofdiy]

Always thought they looked liked little rays! Closer to skates I guess. But still.. cute little buggers

[@FluffyCloudsandCats]

You should get some and put them in an aquarium beside your rays :D

[@RachelOLeary]

+The king of DIY I think so too. Closest I will get to rays for awhile!

[@benws8817]

I agree joey!

[@Bundyburger09]

the sole reason my partner bought these is because they're the closest he'll get to rays!

[@MikeyAware]

Setup a specialist tank up for these guys. You'll be rewarded ;)

[@matthewdamours7987]

My hillstream loaches that I got last week are rapidly becoming my all time favorite fish! They have such personality and beautiful patterns!

[@poodleng]

So cool you posted this! I just bought a pair a couple days ago and absolutely love them! They are now one of my faves! Thanks!❤

[@operationhotshotinc.6887]

Thanks for doing these spotlight videos , I’m new to the game and need all the info I can get. Great teaching . Thank you

[@DJ_LittlePea]

They are so fabulous Rachel thanks for the video of them 🤗🤗🤗

[@kzookid2051]

Such an awesome little fish. Their patterning is like stained glass, with a lovely hippy flower on the center of their backs.

[@Niesty-1103]

Hi Rachel , thanks for the species update , they are truly a beautiful fish, and again very informative 😆😆. thanks

[@RachelOLeary]

What is your favorite hillie? Instagram @msjinkzd Website and stocklist: msjinkzd.com/stocklist/ Facebook: facebook.com/msjinkzd/ Buy me a coffee: msjinkzd.com/about_msjinkzd/support-our-site/

[@jared8211]

Oh man! i have been wanting one of these so bad! Thank you for the video it hit home for me for sure!

[@erbadkitten]

they're adorable. I was just thinking the same thing Joey! they remind me of little rays too.

[@mr.smithskitchen3224]

those patterns are awesome, you keep some of the most amazing fish, you have helped the wife and I to pick several of our fish

[@RachelOLeary]

glad to hear it!

[@samm1972]

Love you enthusiasm and passion for the hobby Rachel. Its my go to channel hillstream tank coming up 😁

[@BenM-nv6mu]

Wow these are incredible Rachel! Not seen these before. They are almost like rays to look at! Definitely going to do a bit of research on these. Terrific video, thanks so much. Peace Ben

[@chicahchick]

They are so cute!!!

[@raibeartthehairypict4696]

Hi Rachel, I wish there was more people as knowledgeable as you in the hobby. Glad king Joey of DIYland gave us the heads up about you. It's a fantastic channel. Thank you so much .👍

[@RachelOLeary]

I wish more of the folks I know on the lecture circuit would take the time to make videos and share their knowledge! There is a wealth of experience from really nice folks out there, its just not readily available. I am working on some folks!

[@raibeartthehairypict4696]

Great news Rachel.

[@armouredjester1622]

Hi Rachael, I've heard a lot about your work, but this is the first video I've actually watched. I'm quite excited. Edit at the end: That was good, and you only made me want the weird little alien fish even more. All I need is a bigger, better filter for my tank, or maybe just a hefty power head.

[@rummugtheorc1675]

Looks like a tiny sting ray!!!! So pretty!!!

[@peculiarone339]

Oh-my-goodness!!! I LOVE these little buggers!! I was hoping for a species spotlight on these guys and here it is!! How do one fair in a tank with one BN Pleco?

[@aeneas1677]

I love hillstream loaches, so much, I dedicated. a whole 200l tank and crafted it to there needs. its more or less similar to the hilltream biotopes u see on youtube, although this has a really high tech manifold system instead of wave makers. I keep them with rhinogobius gobies, an awaus flavus, a few ghost shrimp and a different species in the gastromyzon genus called beaufortia leveretti, which in my opinion looks a bit nicer than the reticulated ones. I also have a school of tiger barbs up top (I know a bit hazardous to keep) put they haven't given them any trouble, apart from sometimes taking a sneaky nip at their algae wafers. I found this video really cool and informative, and its great that so many people are keeping these amazing (and relatively newly discovered) fish in the hobby

[@EYADzoneable]

Thanks .. Amazing Video for this rare and fantastic fish ..

[@bennycastillomoreno7626]

wow and very cool fish there

[@rohitmeshram5249]

coool they r like mini sting rays lol . love them!!!

[@michaeltette7869]

sweet thanks for the breeding advice

[@--Paws--]

Stiphodons are still my favorite though but every time I see these they look more and more interesting.

[@mbaker1295]

love these fish. keep this species myself

[@klcpca]

I'm soooooo jealous!! I'd LOVE to have a tank full of Hillstreams!! I have a 20g planted with 2 that I've had set up for about a year... doing good so far..... would like to get a few more......

[@darinaorlova250]

СПАСИБО ВАМ !

[@echtnetterjunge]

thanks for your video, we liked it, greetings from Hungary

[@bigjayinga]

Great video as always. I want some

[@terrimiller908]

They look like little rays so cute

[@McMerwe]

Ohhh. I love them! just wish I could keep them with all my shrimp!

[@rummugtheorc1675]

We orcs salute your fish tanks!!!! Very nice 👍

[@kim-babieslikemine3709]

My new favorite fish.

[@mr.smithskitchen3224]

happy Easter also 😊

[@PincheMigs]

Cute little guys! I love how they move on surfaces. :) Oh I was wondering, what are the common species of otocinclus available in the hobby? I have common otos, but I also have wild ones from Colombia.

[@pipex4257]

Nice vid

[@goodall1bay]

that chair looks mighty comfy

[@garymckenna2183]

I love your videos. Did you know that some species can change colour from brown to cream twice a minute? I know, incredible Xx

[@fraxinus_ash]

I was surprised when my Sewellia loach was really hogging the dried tubifex tubes I stuck on the glass with the gobies in mind!

[@JurrassicAss]

Im keeping a reticulated hillstream loach with apistogramma borellii and dwarf gouramis very succcessfully :)

[@marstrology]

Thanks for your videos - they've been so helpful! I love my hillstream loach. Could you clarify or list some of the supplemental foods you mentioned? I always worry she isn't getting what she needs, though she looks happy and healthy to me.

[@RachelOLeary]

I use Repashy Soilent Green

[@madfishdiva]

Your videos inspired me to get these fish. I have the Sewellia and they are breeding in my 55 . Would love it if you would do an update on them if you still have them.

[@RachelOLeary]

I do! I will try!

[@terra778]

I own 6 of these as well as a pair of seven yr old golden weather loaches in a 55 gal ... any plant suggestions ? also thank you for the awesome video

[@vionythomson3245]

beauty

[@catfishcave379]

I've had a Sewellia sp. with a few cories, otos and CPDs for 3.5 years. I never get tired of watching him flit around the tank. They look like lineolata to me because of the stripes. The first one in the video it is too hard to tell only seeing the bellies. 02 appears to have a more blotchy body - depending on what identification source I am looking at.

[@dmichaelsfishden]

That's what these are! Saw these at my LFS the other day - they just got them in, but all were on a waiting list to be purchased. Really want one of these guys. Rachel will you be getting new stock? I looked on the website and didn't see them available....

[@dmichaelsfishden]

Nvm - just saw them listed...didn't see it the first time. I'm going to have to order...😀

[@dmand2353]

They have a very unique shape,kinda like a little alien.

[@adenmeta8608]

Is 2 in a 20 long with a spray bar and a sponge filter acceptable? Mine look healthy and well fed but never eat anything exept algea

[@ricleonardis9314]

I have started a 2nd 55 gallon aquarium due to too many babies in the first 50 gallon aquarium. I have 3 females and 2 males. Today Feb 19th I noticed fry in the 55 gallon. i have over 100 baby Butterfly Hillstream. Using only 3 sponge filters in each aquarium and 80% water changes twice a week. In my opinion these are the easiest fish to breed

[@gregcxox5562]

I'd like a pair of both

[@mydadleftme9375]

Cool!3

[@dadeline]

You should get some Taiwanese dragon loaches! They are small, tiny fish for all nano tanks!

[@felixsimonovich4931]

Have you ever kept dwarf pike cichlids? Such as Crenicichla regani or Crenicichla sp. Orinoco? I am keeping some sp. Orinoco, they are fantastic! You should keep them if you haven't and if you have please make a video about them.

[@Chompchompyerded]

I want to know everything that you know about hillstream loaches!

[@freddyschulp3766]

What fish (preferably some algae eaters) would you recommend to go with clown loaches? I'm setting up a 375 litre aquarium and I want some fish that will make the tank a little easier to look after because I'm going of to university in a couple of years so my parents will have to take care of the tank for a while.

[@madfishdiva]

Thanks Rachel for the info. I’m reserving a 55 gallon tank possibly species only for these lovely creatures. I’ve been researching something for that tank and this is what I’ve chosen. Would you do river rocks or large rocks only, bare bottom with biomedia in hob for B.B.?

[@RachelOLeary]

they typically appreciate jumbles of rocks, from larger river rocks down to pebbles. In order for them to breed, you need a range of sizes, down to a coarse, smooth gravel.

[@ChewysBro]

Could I keep one of these in my 29 Gallon goldfish tank to keep green and brown algae under control?

[@RachelOLeary]

i have no idea about goldfish compatability

[@agonquin]

Can you keep hillstream loach with a goldfish tank and if so, normally goldfish water, it's recommended to have salt added at 1 tablespoon per 5 - 10 gallons of water ... wondering would hillstream loach torerate that type of water conditions. Thanks you for anyones answers

[@bakar29]

Hi Rachel, love your videos; straight to the point and very informative. In your personal opinion, for Otos, do they prefer low/medium/strong current? I have searched the web but keep on getting conflicting information. I plan to buy about 10-15 of them for my 30gallon very very soon.

[@RachelOLeary]

I don't find them to particularly care. I just use sponge filtration for them, but also have some in my 150g hillstream tank- they do equally well in both.

[@bakar29]

Thank you for the prompt reply! Bcos currently my tank has been running for about 4years with lots of driftwood, a nice healthy Anubias sprawled across it, 15 Panda Cories with a cannister filter for filtration and I just wanted to make sure that I dont stress the Otos out (so I can adjust the outflow of the cannister filter accordingly) Edit: Reason to why I am itching for Otos because I have always heard of them being excellent algae eaters and my Anubias has a nice thick yummy coating of algae on its leaves haha...I had nerites before but they love to clean the glass and then have a nice stroll the around outside my tank all around my room instead LOL

[@theirishman8455]

I don’t have a planted tank, but I don’t clean/scrub my decor to help with heathy bacteria and natural algae. In summary , is this appropriate a healthy environment? Also supplement with algae discs, i have a spray as well.

[@bakezori]

I'm thinking of setting up a hillstream tank in a 20gallon long. Would you recommend these or the Borneo suckers you talked about a few weeks ago?

[@RachelOLeary]

borneo suckers would likely be more suitable to a 20 long. These work in a 20 long, but with more real estate they are a bit less dominant

[@kimmccracken9356]

you know those stackable ceramic cichlid caves I bought some for the hillstream loach but the caves feel kind of rough and scratchy , so my question is will this cut up a hillstream loaches belly ? Not putting them in the tank for now , too worried it will hurt them

[@gmoorach]

Any chance these would be suitable tank mates for goldfish?

[@deeptenduchandra4507]

I have a couple of apple snails, will it be a cause for concern?

[@UnheatednoProblem]

my sewelia is a pitbul at feeding time will chase my ottos and styphodon gobies all day every day lol

[@UnheatednoProblem]

and as to feeding mine absolutly destroy new life spectrum small fish formula

[@robertfrancis5574]

Do you think Sewellias will do well with bristlenose plecos?

[@PL-sj6xn]

Hay again I also with my white minos have one hillstream hes seems to spend most of his time hideing under a rock hes picked as his home yours are swimming/ moving around a lot more than mine ! Whats going on ???

[@TwistedArtdesigns]

They are hard to find. Any ideas in where to purchase these?

[@jeremysalazar6775]

would IAL be good food for them as well as waffers?

[@saltlif3boy957]

Are 2 stacked on top of each other or is that just one

[@shieraseastar9300]

I love these, I want to get some someday! What size tank is ideal for them?

[@MrCelt81]

Shiera Seastar I was going to ask the same thing

[@RachelOLeary]

+Ridiculous Fish Adventures I like a 20 long, minimum

[@MrCelt81]

Rachel O'leary Nuts wanted on for my new ten gallon I'm setting up 😟😩

[@shieraseastar9300]

Thanks Rachel! :)

[@RalphManning]

Hi Rachel. Fantastic video, very informative! I've a question if you have a moment: I've had one Sewellia lineolata (I think male) in a tank for a while with a good deal of flow. I've recently bought two more (I think both females) and introduced them to the tank since learning they're best in groups. Since introducing these two females, the original male has been ruthlessly chasing both of them around for the past few hours. The females would be just peacefully grazing (and not even on the prime big boulders) and he'll come along and bump them until they move. Is this the kind of behaviour when you mention in reference to breeding "the males will chase the females"? Or does it just seem like the male is seeing them as a territory threat?

[@RachelOLeary]

Yes, that is likely what is happening. You may want to hide some extra midsized river rocks. It oculd be either behavior, they tend to look pretty similar!

[@RalphManning]

I hope it settles down. I'll add some extra river rocks and monitor things. Thanks very much. In hindsight, I might have been better off taking him out initially, rearranging everything in the tank then adding all back together so it's new territory for everyone. If they do spawn, would Amano shrimp eat the eggs do you think?

[@krankwave]

Ever try a black light?

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

Are they also sensitive to herbal medications? I use herbtana microbelift that i purchased from petco.

[@cheryllong995]

Rachael, can you just keep one hillstream loach in a 25 gallon tank?

[@Jeff-ik9zj]

I really want to get some but my tank can't have much flow because i have angels :l

[@remhk6672]

Can you cross breed these with the spotted variety?

[@danielelleker]

Question: I bought one "hillstream" that is mostly dark grey/black colour with small white spots. His would is shaped quite differently from my larger reticulated hillstream (i have two now). At the fish store I was told they were unsure what the spotted ones were, whether they were a different species etc...they have a wider mouth that extends almost the width of the head, right at the front edge of the head. He is younger than the others (about 1 inch) and gets alone well with the other two (him and the reticulated female hang out a lot. He is not as active as the reticulated...but the shape of the mouth really struck me as totally different. If you can help me identify this fish or give me some possibilities to look into, I would be super appreciative! Folks at the fish store (all fans by the way!) are curious too. The internet does not seem to provide easy answers (lots of contradictory information and misuse of names. Cheers Rachel!

[@RachelOLeary]

the one i used to see most often was gastromyzon ctenocephalus.

[@PureAndShrimple]

I'm making a setup for these and wondering what to keep with them, if anything. Would Khuli loaches not eat the eggs?

[@obama-bin-thanos7484]

Are they 2 fish sitting on top of each other or is it 1 fish

[@momosupremacy8349]

Does this apply to gastromyzon?

[@allenoriti2246]

I just got some I put in a 10 gal high flow breeder I have 4 very large ones in it. The fish seller thinks they might be wile caught because of how large they are. I have 6 others in my community tank not even close to the size of the new ones. Like the biggest one is almost 3 inches long and wide. Question is do you think I can get 4 of them to breed in a 10 gal all to them self’s I have a lot of O2 going for them and a power head with lots of smooth rocks.

[@victorvega3498]

These are hillstream leaches right??

[@elllieM]

hi Rachel love your channel i have a question ihave soft water in my 65 gallon 4 feet tank ph of 6.5 and tds of 68 what fish would love this water, at the moment i have honey gourami and harlequins in tank

[@RachelOLeary]

+Elaine Mepham anything south american

[@elllieM]

Rachel O'leary thanks for your reply I will look into south American fish

[@nicholasclark9273]

Hi Rachel... Are these guys for sale in your store? I’m looking forward to the Monster Fish Bash in Boca Raton, Fl in August... I’m coming up from Miami :)

[@_ssinghh]

i have those, and 1 of them just died. and another one does not look good either. 14"" tank , clean water, filter, fan. i live in bangkok and its warm here. idont know what went wrong

[@che350z]

question.... you said they eat algae but would they eat/clean up brown algae? I'm having a brown algae problem.

[@RachelOLeary]

yes, they would need supplementation as well, as they are aufwuchs grazers- so meaty crustaceans/worms AND algae

[@emmasoanes7272]

can these and dwarf loaches go together?

[@sofalarter-green4611]

Can a spotted one breed with the striped one I really nee help

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

Are the fancy goldfish safe? I do partial water changes twice weekly.

[@jamesmanning387]

Yes

[@joydas4442]

Can I keep them in a shrimp breeding tank?

[@KimOfDrac]

I have two♡ they don't care at all about the spirulina bottom wafers tho😂

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

What do you mean by turn over rate? Thanks.

[@RachelOLeary]

+James King how many times the pump turns over the total volume of water per hour. I.e. for a 10x turnover rate would mean a 90g system would need 900gph from the pump/powerhead

[@spencerchapman4652]

Will they eat black beard algae?

[@adenmeta8608]

I have a group in a quarentine tank and they seem to have ich. Is a half dose of ich medication ok... I don't know what to do

[@RachelOLeary]

I use quinine on loaches.

[@wolflupin5]

i also have the GASTROMYZON OCELLATUS. are these simular in character/habits/male/female and stuff like these guys?

[@RachelOLeary]

i believe i did a "borneo sucker" one as welll, which would be more like your fish though the care is similar

[@wolflupin5]

unfortunately my borneo sucker died tonight. :'( I keep this fish in mind but for the time being I will not keep a fish like that anymore.

[@shirleyhaywood173]

Hello Rachel could you tell me if the sewellia (sew03/04) can be kept with shrimp Shirley

[@RachelOLeary]

you will get varied answers. I never have had a problem, ever but I tend to keep bigger tanks.

[@johnmarkzimm]

Do you think they would eat baby shrimp?

[@jaime8318]

I prefer the wider bodied females anyway. What if I were to get 2 males and 6 females for my huge 300 gallon "nano" tank? Does that sound like a good ratio?

[@RachelOLeary]

Sounds awesome

[@MrDanAng1]

Beautiful fishes! Is this a social fish or can I keep only one of these in a tank?

[@RachelOLeary]

you can keep just one

[@MrDanAng1]

Rachel O'leary thank you for a fast answer!jag