The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Pinstripe Hillstream Loach Hong Kong Butterfly Pleco 4cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Pinstripe or Tiger Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) is a flattened, sucker-bellied loach with a bold pattern of fine golden pinstripes and spots on a dark body. Despite the trade name it is a loach, not a pleco, from fast streams of central Vietnam. It suits keepers who can offer a cool, strongly flowing, mature river-style tank.
- Adult Size: Around 6.5 cm (2.6 in)
- Lifespan: 5–8 years
Origin
- Native to: Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Dinh provinces, central Vietnam
- Habitat: Shallow, fast, oxygen-rich streams over bedrock and boulders
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, mainly an algae and biofilm grazer
- Preferred Foods: Algae, biofilm, gel foods, algae wafers, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia
- Feeding Habits: Graze constantly; feed small amounts daily; needs a mature, algae-rich tank
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small danios, white clouds, rasboras, stiphodon gobies, other hillstream loaches
- Avoid: Goldfish, slow warm-water fish, large or boisterous species
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful with other species
- Territoriality: Dominant among hillstream loaches; harmless posturing over feeding spots
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs strong flow, high oxygen and cool, mature water
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft, clean and highly oxygenated
- Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH
- Flow: Strong, river-style with powerheads
- Tank Size: Minimum 80 litres long, shallow tank for a group of six
Final Notes
Only add to a biologically mature aquarium with algae-covered smooth stones, extra powerheads and visible surface movement; it will not thrive in a standard goldfish or warm tropical tank. It can climb glass, so keep a tight-fitting lid. Males have a squarer snout and tubercles on the head and pectoral rays; females are broader. Groups breed readily among cobbles, making this the most rewarding hillstream loach.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.