Clown Loach Botia Macracantha

Overview

The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is one of the most recognisable freshwater fish, with a bold orange body crossed by three black bands and vivid red fins. Native to Sumatra and Borneo, it is playful, sociable and long-lived, often resting on its side or clicking audibly. A wonderful centrepiece for experienced keepers with a very large aquarium.

• Adult Size: Up to 30 cm (12 in) in aquaria, occasionally larger; slow-growing
• Lifespan: 20 years or more

Origin

• Native to: Sumatra and Borneo, Indonesia
• Habitat: Large rivers, migrating into flooded forest to spawn

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous, leaning carnivorous
• Preferred Foods: Sinking pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, snails, blanched courgette, earthworms
• Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily after lights dim; relishes pest snails

Tank Mates

• Best with: Its own kind in groups of five or more, large barbs, rainbowfish, robust tetras
• Avoid: Slow, long-finned fish, small shrimp and snails, very small fish

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Boisterous but peaceful
• Territoriality: Low; forms a social hierarchy within the group

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Challenges: Very large adult size, prone to whitespot, sensitive to medications

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
• Temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F)
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: 1–12 dGH
• Flow: Moderate to strong; well oxygenated
• Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for juveniles; a group of adults needs 1000 litres or more

Final Notes

Buy only if you can house a group of adults for decades: juveniles are small but keep growing for many years, and a lone loach becomes withdrawn or nippy. Being scaleless, they catch whitespot easily and react badly to full-strength copper or formalin, so quarantine new stock and dose at half strength. They jump, so fit a tight lid, and a sharp spine under each eye can snag nets. Few fish offer more personality.