{"product_id":"clown-loach-botia-macracantha","title":"Clown Loach Botia Macracantha","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Up to 30 cm (12 in) in aquaria, occasionally larger; slow-growing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 20 years or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Sumatra and Borneo, Indonesia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Large rivers, migrating into flooded forest to spawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, leaning carnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Sinking pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, snails, blanched courgette, earthworms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed once or twice daily after lights dim; relishes pest snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Its own kind in groups of five or more, large barbs, rainbowfish, robust tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow, long-finned fish, small shrimp and snails, very small fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Boisterous but peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; forms a social hierarchy within the group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Very large adult size, prone to whitespot, sensitive to medications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 25–30°C (77–86°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 1–12 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate to strong; well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 450 litres for juveniles; a group of adults needs 1000 litres or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"5cm","offer_id":64680678490489,"sku":"STF-LOACH-CLOWN-5cm","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10cm","offer_id":64680678523257,"sku":"STF-LOACH-CLOWN-10cm","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LOACH-CLOWN.png?v=1790097151","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/clown-loach-botia-macracantha","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}