Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Botiidae
FishDifficulty: ●●●●○Data: well-established
About
The clown loach is a large, boldly banded orange-and-black botiid from the rivers and flooded forests of Borneo and Sumatra. Sold tiny, it is a slow-growing giant that can exceed 20-30 cm and live well beyond twenty years, so it is a serious long-term commitment. Intensely social, it forms squabbling hierarchies and only shows its playful, clicking, side-lying personality when kept in a proper group in a spacious tank.
Care
Keep a group of five or more (ten-plus is far better) in a long, spacious tank with soft sand, driftwood caves, warm well-oxygenated water and a tight lid. A shoal of these decades-living, 30 cm giants needs a large footprint of at least 180x60 cm (roughly 530 litres), and their semi-embedded scales make them prone to ich.
Diet
Protein-leaning omnivore; offer sinking pellets and wafers, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, and blanched vegetables. A keen snail-eater that may also hunt dwarf shrimp.
Tankmate compatibility
Avoid (271)
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Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Clown Loach need?
- A Clown Loach needs an aquarium of at least 530 litres (140 US gallons) with a footprint at least 180 cm (70.9 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Clown Loach need?
- Clown Loach does best at 24–30 °C (75.2–86 °F), pH 5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 °dGH.
- What group size does a Clown Loach need?
- Clown Loach is a social species — keep a group of at least 5 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Clown Loach suitable for beginners?
- Clown Loach is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.
Sources
Water & tank
Temperature24–30°C
Optimal temp.26–28°C
pH5–7.5
Hardness (GH)2–12°d
Carbonate (KH)1–8°d
Adult size30 cm
Min. volume≥ 530 L
Min. tank length≥ 180 cm
Group size≥ 5
Swimming zoneBottom
TemperamentPeaceful
Water typeFreshwater
FlowModerate
Lifespan~20 yrs
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