Clown Loach

The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is a popular freshwater fish known for its vibrant orange and black stripes, playful behavior, and social nature. It is a bottom-dwelling species that thrives in groups and makes a great addition to large community tanks.

Maximum Size:

• Can grow up to 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) in the wild.
• In home aquariums, they typically reach 8-12 inches (20-30 cm).

Native Region:

• Found in Southeast Asia, specifically in the rivers of Indonesia, including Sumatra and Borneo.
• They inhabit slow-moving waters, often in areas with submerged roots, leaf litter, and soft substrates.

Diet (Carnivorous or Omnivorous?):

• Omnivorous, with a preference for protein-rich foods.
• In the wild, they eat small invertebrates, snails, worms, plant matter, and algae.
• In captivity, they thrive on:
  ✅ High-quality sinking pellets and wafers
  ✅ Live and frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia)
  ✅ Vegetables (blanched zucchini, cucumber, spinach)
  ✅ Snails (great for controlling pest snails in the tank)

Lifespan:

• 15 to 25 years with proper care.

Breeding Season & Behavior:

• Rarely breeds in home aquariums.
• In the wild, breeding occurs during the rainy season when water conditions change significantly.
• They are egg scatterers, meaning they lay eggs in open water, but successful breeding in captivity is very uncommon.
• Commercial breeding is usually done with hormonal treatments in large fish farms.

Best Tank Mates:

Clown Loaches are peaceful and social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 5. They do well with:

✅ Other peaceful community fish (Tetras, Barbs, Gouramis, Rainbowfish)
✅ Other bottom dwellers (Corydoras, Plecos, Yo-Yo Loaches)
✅ Larger peaceful cichlids (Severums, Uaru, Festivums)

🚫 Avoid:

• Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (Tiger Barbs, some Cichlids, Red-Tailed Sharks)
• Small fish that might be intimidated by their activity level.

Ideal Tank Conditions:

• Tank Size: 75 gallons minimum, but 125+ gallons is ideal for a group.
• Temperature: 77-86°F (25-30°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard.
• Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel (to protect their sensitive barbels).
• Décor: Provide hiding spots with driftwood, caves, and plants, as they like to rest in shaded areas.