Clown loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum tank
- 450 L
- Maximum size
- 30 cm
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Group size
- ≥ 5
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The clown loach is sold as a cheerful orange-and-black fish of five centimetres, but grows into a thirty-centimetre animal that can live for decades. It is also markedly social: in a group it plays, clicks and sleeps lying on its side; on its own it wastes away.
That combination — large, long-lived and needing company — makes it one of the most underestimated purchases in the hobby. Plan on a big tank and a long commitment. It loves snails and small shrimp, so it will solve your snail problem but also your shrimp colony. Bear in mind, too, that it is prone to white spot.
Good to know
Best not combined with
Related species
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.
In the BlubHub app you link your inhabitants to this database and see the care info next to your own water parameters.