Clown Loach

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Scientific Name

Chromobotia macracanthus

Min. Tank Size

125 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

75-83°F

pH

6.0-7.5/5-12°dGH

Size

12"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Rasboras, Barbs, Corydoras, Danios, Catfish and other Loaches.

Clown Loach

The sole member of its genus, the Clown Loach is one of the most popular loaches in the aquarium trade. Unfortunately, it is often sold for small tanks despite being largely unsuited for such an environment. These fish are easily identified by their long, laterally compressed bodies which are typically light or reddish-orange in color. The bodies of these fish are decorated with three black vertical bands – one on the head that passes through the eye; one that wraps around the ventral surface and a third covering most of the caudal peduncle.

Tank Set-Up

Clown Loaches are native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia where they tend to inhabit warm, clear waters. These fish can be found in a variety of habitats including river channels, tributaries and floodplains. In the home tank, Clown Loaches prefer structured tanks decorated with fine gravel substrate, driftwood roots or branches and some vegetation. These fish require plenty of cover and thrive best in highly oxygenated water with a degree of flow. Clown Loaches are not usually aggressive but they may nip the fins of certain species and may intimidate smaller fishes with their size and active behavior.

Feeding

These loaches are primarily carnivorous in the wild but may also eat some vegetable matter. In the home aquarium, Clown Loaches are not fussy eaters and should be offered a varied diet of high-quality flakes or granules supplemented with live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, Daphnia and Artemia. To encourage healthy growth and coloration, offer these fish plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as well.

Breeding

In their natural habitat, Clown Loaches are migratory breeders but few reports have been made of successful spawnings in the home aquarium. Some breeders suggest that this failure may be a result of using immature specimens – Clown Loaches take several years to become sexually mature.