Clown Loach

• Diet: Flake, Frozen, Freeze-dried
• Maximum size: 12"
• Water temperature: 74-82° F
• Swimming level: Bottom
• Experience level: Beginner
• Tank Setup: 40+ gallons, lightly planted

Loaches are extremely peaceful and live best in a community aquarium with fish of the same disposition. They are communal fish that do best when they are kept in small groups containing 3-6 loaches. Be sure to provide them numerous shelters for greater security. This generally makes them bolder. Like most bottom-dwellers the substrate should consist of a fine-grained or round-edged gravel.

Loaches either lack or have very tiny scales, which means they have almost no protection from toxic materials dissolved in the aquarium. Avoid adding medications to the aquarium unless they are specifically recommended for "scaleless" fish.

Learn about the Clown Loach

Common Name
Clown Loach

Other Common Names
Tiger Loach

Scientific Name
Botia macracanthus

Family
Cobitidae

Feeding Habits
Live brine shrimp, snails, glass worms, tubifex worms and blood worms. Frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, beef heart, glass worms and vegetable diet.

Compatibility
A active schooling fish that mixes well with other active types of fish. Docile and slow moving community fish are not recommended as tankmates, as they tend to become very stressed by the loaches' constant activity.

Habitat
Borneo: Moderately decorate with live plants, rocks and driftwood.

Breeding
Males have longer forks on their tail fin, and they are heavier than the females.

Additional Comments
The Clown Loach is prized as a food fish in its native land. These loaches will alarm their owners by laying on their sides and backs while resting, this is normal Clown Loach behavior. In the evening audible clicking sounds may be made by the loaches. The loaches love for snails makes them very effective in controlling the snail population in any aquarium.

More information
Visit our Fish Care Center to find products, care information and bright ideas to enhance your underwater world.

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