Loach–Hill Stream Bloody Mary

Description

Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach

The Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach is a unique and eye-catching freshwater fish known for its flattened body, graceful gliding movement, and beautiful reddish patterning. Often compared to a “freshwater stingray,” this fascinating species clings to rocks and glass while grazing on algae, making it both useful and captivating in planted aquariums.

Unlike most bottom dwellers, Hillstream Loaches prefer cooler, oxygen-rich water and gentle to moderate current. They spend their day attached to surfaces, constantly grazing and exploring, adding nonstop activity and personality to the tank.

Scientific Name: Sewellia lineolata (color variant)
Common Names: Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach, Red Hillstream Loach, Butterfly Loach
Size: Up to 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm)
Color: Reddish-brown base with intricate patterned markings
Lifespan: 5+ years with proper care
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Temperature: 68–75°F (20–24°C)
Temperament: Peaceful, bottom-dwelling grazer
Diet: Algae, biofilm, sinking wafers, Repashy-type gel foods, and small frozen foods

Care Tips:

• Provide strong aeration and high oxygen levels
• Include smooth rocks and driftwood for grazing surfaces
• Works best in mature aquariums with natural algae growth
• Use sand or smooth substrate to prevent injury
• Avoid warm-water or aggressive tankmates

Ideal For:

• Planted aquariums with flow
• River-style or aquascaped tanks
• Aquarists wanting an algae-grazing centerpiece fish
• Hobbyists looking for a unique, conversation-starting species

Add a Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach to your aquarium and enjoy watching this fascinating “living hovercraft” glide across rocks and glass while helping keep your tank clean!

Fish Quarantine Process

At 10 Gallon Fish Tanks, we take the health of our fish seriously. Every fish we bring in undergoes a strict 2-4 week quarantine process to ensure they are free of parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial diseases before being introduced to our main tanks.

During this quarantine period, fish are treated with the “Med Trio” as needed:

• Paracleanse – Targets internal & External parasites like worms and protozoans. Things like fish lice, tapeworms, hole in the head, skin and gill flukes.

• Ich-X – Treats external parasites and fungus. Treats Ich and white spot disease.

• Maracyn – An antibiotic that combats bacterial infections, preventing issues like fin rot, skin redness, open wounds, swollen eyes etc.

This quarantine protocol ensures that every fish we sell are healthy, acclimated to Tennessee water, and ready to thrive in their new home.

Water Parameters for Healthy Fish

To help you achieve the best results when acclimating your new fish, we’ve included a photo showing the exact water parameters we maintain in our tanks. These values are carefully monitored and kept stable, ensuring that each fish grows and thrives in a healthy, natural environment.

By following these parameters at home, you can provide the smoothest transition possible for your fish, helping them settle in quickly and comfortably. We’re dedicated to setting you up for success with your new fish, and sharing these details is part of our commitment to their health and your enjoyment.

Shipping Information:

• Our fish, shrimp, & snails are carefully packaged in breathable bags.
• The shipping box is well-insulated to maintain optimal conditions. In most cases, additional heating or cooling packs are not necessary. However, to ensure the health and survival of the fish, shrimp, & snails it is essential that they are brought indoors promptly upon arrival, particularly in extreme weather conditions (either hot or cold). Please monitor the tracking number for updates on the estimated delivery time.
• We ship on Mondays (unless you have a special requested shipping time) with all orders processed by 10 AM. We currently only ship within the United States.
• If there are extreme weather conditions, we may postpone shipments until weather is better to make sure your shrimp arrive safely.
• In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival), we will refund the cost of the fish, shrimp, or snail provided that a photograph of the deceased animal, is still in the packaging, and is submitted within 1 hour of delivery of the package. Please note that any additional shipping costs for the replacement are the responsibility of the buyer. While our shipping methods are designed to minimize the risk of DOA, we cannot control the handling by postal employees or drivers.

We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with your order. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.