Clown loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
A bold orange-and-black loach that lives 20 years and grows over a foot long, so a proper group needs a 6-foot tank.
Key facts
- Body length
- 15.7 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 202 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- 20–25 years
- Diet
- Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, snails, vegetables
- Origin
- Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia
- Hardier than22%
- Bigger than96%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Clown loach tank mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blue dolphin cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Convict cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Dwarf gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Firemouth cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kuhli loachGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Neon tetraClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon tetra.Risky
- Harlequin rasboraClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Harlequin rasbora.Risky
- Fancy guppyClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Fancy guppy.Risky
- OtocinclusClown loach outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Cherry shrimpClown loach eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: в SF не упомянуто).Risky
- Tiger barbClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Tiger barb.Risky
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Clown loach: prey body depth 8.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Crystal red shrimpCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Pea pufferPea puffer should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for clown loaches: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 40 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 960.00 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 81.43 BU
- Min. water
- 648 L net
- Min. footprint
- 180 × 60 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore meat
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Clown loaches come from rivers of Borneo and Sumatra and are among the most recognisable aquarium fish. They are sold at 2–3 inches but can reach about 15 inches, and a group forms a real pecking order, usually led by a large female.
Keep at least six, ideally ten, in a tank of roughly 180 gallons with a 6 by 2 foot footprint. Singles withdraw or pick on lookalikes; they eat snails and may take dwarf shrimp, but they are not a quick fix for a snail outbreak.
Questions
What size tank does a clown loach need?
At least 202 gallons (648 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 15.7 inches without fins.
How many clown loaches should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do clown loaches need?
75–86 °F, pH 5–7 and 1–12 dGH. Clown loaches come from Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia.
How long do clown loaches live?
20–25 years with good care.
What fish can live with clown loaches?
Good tank mates include Panda corydoras, Betta, Angelfish, Black widow tetra and Blue dolphin cichlid. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.