Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)

The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is one of the most iconic freshwater loaches, loved for its vibrant orange body, bold black bands, and playful personality. Highly social and active, Clown Loaches thrive in groups and become fascinating centerpiece fish in large community aquariums. They are well-known for their entertaining behavior, long lifespan, and ability to help control pest snail populations.

What We Like About This Fish
Bright orange body with distinctive black bands
Very active, playful, and highly intelligent
Excellent for large peaceful community aquariums
Helps control pest snail populations
Long-lived species with lots of personality
Best kept in groups where natural social behavior can be observed
Recommended Tank Parameters
Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons (280 liters) for a small group
Temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F)
pH: 6.0–7.5
KH: 2–10 dKH
Water Flow: Moderate to strong
Aquarium Setup: Soft sandy substrate, driftwood, caves, rocks, and plenty of hiding places with open swimming areas
Care Guidelines

Diet:
Omnivorous; accepts sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, earthworms, vegetables, and other high-quality foods.

Social Behavior:
Very peaceful and highly social; must be kept in groups of at least 5–6 individuals for best health and natural behavior.

Origin:
Indonesia (Borneo and Sumatra)

Average Adult Size:
10–12 inches (25–30 cm)

Average Purchase Size:
2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)

Shrimp Safe:
No. May prey on dwarf shrimp and small snails, especially as they mature.