Hillstream Loach
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
The Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) is one of the most fascinating and unique freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. Recognized for its striking “stingray-like” body shape, intricate patterning, and strong algae-eating ability, the Hillstream Loach fish is both beautiful and beneficial. These peaceful bottom dwellers help maintain a clean tank by grazing on biofilm and algae, making them a perfect addition for aquarists who value both function and style in their aquarium.
Native to the fast-flowing mountain streams of Vietnam, China, and Southeast Asia, the Hillstream Loach thrives in cool, oxygen-rich environments. Their flattened bodies and strong fins allow them to cling to rocks and resist powerful currents. In aquariums, they are best known for their unique appearance, gentle nature, and efficiency as natural algae eaters, a role that makes them a favorite among planted tank enthusiasts.
A full grown Hillstream Loach typically reaches 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) in length. They feature a flattened, disc-like body with intricate maze-like patterns of dark brown and yellow-gold. Their undersides have a sucker-shaped mouth adapted for grazing on rocks and glass. When kept in well-oxygenated water, their colors intensify, showcasing the true beauty of this species.
Hillstream Loaches are peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish that coexist well with other calm freshwater species. Ideal Hillstream Loach tank mates include Tetras, Rasboras, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Danios, Corydoras catfish, and small shrimp. Avoid aggressive or territorial fish that may outcompete them for food or disturb their calm environment. They prefer living in groups of three or more to display natural schooling and grazing behaviors.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Hillstream Loach for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Striking appearance resembling a miniature freshwater stingray
- Excellent algae eater that helps maintain tank cleanliness
- Peaceful and community-friendly species
- Ideal for planted and cool-water aquariums
- Thrives in groups and active in high-oxygen environments
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a small group
- Temperature: 68°–75°F (20°–24°C) (ideal Hillstream Loach temperature)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH
- Filtration: Strong flow and high oxygenation with smooth rocks or river stones
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous. Feed with high-quality algae wafers, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and occasional protein sources like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
- Tank Setup: Mimic a mountain stream with smooth stones, pebbles, and high water flow. Provide shaded areas with driftwood or caves for resting.
- Behavior: Peaceful, social, and most active during the day. Loves grazing on surfaces for algae and biofilm.
Visit here to explore more about How to Care for Loach Fish.
Hillstream Loach Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Hillstream Loach should I keep together?
It’s best to keep Hillstream Loaches in groups of at least 3 to 6 individuals. These social bottom-dwellers are more active and display natural behaviors when kept together. In groups, they form small territories, graze on algae, and interact peacefully. Keeping multiple Hillstream Loach fish also helps reduce stress and ensures they remain healthy and active in the aquarium.
How long do Hillstream Loach live?
With proper care, a Hillstream Loach can live for 8–10 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Consistent water quality, a strong current, and cool, oxygen-rich conditions are essential for longevity. A balanced diet of algae wafers, sinking pellets, and blanched vegetables also helps extend the Hillstream Loach lifespan and keep their vibrant patterns bright.
Are Hillstream Loach hard to keep?
Hillstream Loaches are moderately easy to care for, but they do require specific water conditions to thrive. They prefer cooler temperatures (68°–75°F), high oxygen levels, and strong water flow to mimic their natural stream environment. Once the right setup is established, Hillstream Loaches are hardy, peaceful, and excellent long-term algae eaters for planted and community tanks.
