Overview
- The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is a bright orange loach with black bands. It is very popular, but often bought without knowing how big it gets.
- Native to rivers of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia.
- Can reach about 16 in (40 cm), though it grows slowly.
- Not suitable for small aquariums, even though small juveniles are sold everywhere.
Feeding
- Mostly carnivorous, eating snails, insects and worms, but also some plants.
- Offer quality sinking foods, live or frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus vegetables like cucumber.
- May eat soft-leaved plants.
Habitat
- A tank with a base of at least 72 × 24 in (180 × 60 cm) for a group.
- Sand or fine gravel, smooth rocks, driftwood, and subdued light.
- Hardy plants such as Java fern and Java moss.
- Water: 75–86°F (24–30°C), pH 5.0–7.0, GH 1–12.
Fish Care
- Juveniles can be grown on in smaller tanks only with several water changes a week.
- [UNVERIFIED] Prone to ich (white spot), so quarantine new fish.
Compatibility
- Avoid much smaller fish and slow, long-finned fish such as bettas and guppies.
- Good with peaceful open-water cyprinids, and with Barilius or Balantiocheilos in larger tanks.
Aquarium Behavior
- Sociable. Keep a group of at least 5. [UNVERIFIED]
- Can be very active. Not aggressive, but its size can intimidate small fish.
Breeding
- Not bred in home aquariums.
- In the wild it migrates into flooded tributaries to spawn during the rainy season.