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Marbled hillstream loach (Sewellia marmorata) — Balitoridae

Marbled hillstream loach

Sewellia marmorata
Family: Balitoridae

The Marbled hillstream loach (Sewellia marmorata) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The marbled hillstream loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of Vietnam and Laos in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, streamlined body with a marbled pattern and broad, horizontally spread pectoral and pelvic fins that together form a suction disc. With it it clamps onto smooth stones in the current and rasps off algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled hillstream loach?

The Marbled hillstream loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Marbled hillstream loach live?

The Marbled hillstream loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Marbled hillstream loach get?

The Marbled hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Marbled hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled hillstream loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Marmer-bergbeekloach sourced
English name
Marbled hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Sewellia marmorata
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sewellia

More from the family Balitoridae

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