Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach is a peaceful bottom-dwelling fish.

PeacefulBottom dwellerAdvanced

Save this fish or add it directly to one of your aquariums.

Need help with Clown Loach?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: 9.8–15.7" (25–40 cm)
Aquarium size: 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 70.9" (≥ 180 cm) minimum length
Care level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful
Swimming zone: Bottom dweller
Temperature: 75–86°F (24–30°C)
pH: 5–7
GH: 1–12 dGH
KH: 1–8 dKH
Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: 15–25 years

Care requirements

Care level: Advanced.

Lifespan: 15–25 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 70.9" (≥ 180 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 24–30 °C, pH 5–7, GH 1–12 dGH, KH 1–8 dKH.

Temperament and compatibility

Clown Loach is peaceful and suits calm community fish.

Plant safe: Yes
Snail safe: No
Community safe: Yes

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the bottom area, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

As an omnivore, Clown Loach should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.

Offer varied sinking animal- and plant-based foods; snails may be consumed; distribute food to reduce competition.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 70.9" (≥ 180 cm) minimum length.
Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Sumatra and Borneo.

Natural habitat: Main river channels, seasonal floodplains and submerged shelters among wood, rock, mud cavities and areas of current.

Breeding notes

Breeding difficulty: Advanced.

Adults can exceed 30 cm. Aquarium planning must be based on mature size rather than the much smaller juveniles commonly offered for sale.

Important notes

Large, long-lived fish requiring an adult-sized aquarium.
Must be kept in a social group.
Not safe with ornamental snails.
Reduced scales make careless medication risky.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Blue Eyed Plecostomus Panaque cochliodon Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 11.8" (≤ 30 cm) 72–82°F (22–28°C) Black Ghost Knifefish Apteronotus albifrons Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 19.7" (≤ 50 cm) 73–82°F (23–28°C) Barred Bichir Polypterus delhezi Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 13.8" (≤ 35 cm) 75–86°F (24–30°C) Blue Botia Yasuhikotakia modesta Same family Bottom dweller Similar size Intermediate ≤ 9.8" (≤ 25 cm) 73–82°F (23–28°C) African Glass Catfish Pareutropius debauwi Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 72–81°F (22–27°C) Apollo’s Leporinus Leporinus apollo Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 5.3" (≤ 13.4 cm) 68–81°F (20–27°C)

FAQ

How large does Clown Loach get?

Clown Loach reaches 9.8–15.7" (25–40 cm). It needs specialist housing, long-term space, strong filtration, and carefully chosen companions.

What aquarium size does Clown Loach need?

Use an aquarium of at least 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 70.9" (≥ 180 cm) minimum length.

Is Clown Loach peaceful?

Yes. Clown Loach is recorded as peaceful and is best planned with calm community fish that do not harass it or dominate the feeding area.

What temperature is suitable for Clown Loach?

Keep it between 24 to 30 °C.