Clown Loaches, scientifically known as Botia macracantha, are among the most colorful and popular of aquarium Loaches. The originate from streams and creeks in Indonesia, Sumatra and Borneo. Three black bands encircle the bright orange body. The dorsal and anal fins are black with orange edges, and the other fins are orange-red, with streaks of black in the caudal fin.

Susceptible to white spot disease, this fish is said to not tolerate medications.

Tank Setup

This bottom feeding fish grows much larger in the wild than it generally does in captivity. While the it may grow up to 12" in the wild, you'll be lucky if it grows to half this size in the aquarium. They prefer to be in schools of five or six.

In display tanks, they often swim peacefully in schools, sometimes with barbs of similar size and color. This fish is shy and so dim lights are recommended. Use floating plants to block out some of the light if needed. Rocks and caves are appreciated as hiding places as well as plastic tubes but the Clown Loach will enventually learn to come out of hiding. They prefer a fine gravel bottom as they like to burrow in the bottom of the tank.

Feeding

Clown loaches are omnivores who will readily accept common aquariums foods such as flakes, algae tablets, frozen foods, live foods, beef heart.

Water Chemistry

The water should be soft and slighly acidic.

Breeding

Females are thinner in size than males, and males have longer caudal fins. The Clown Loach spawns during the rainy season in foaming, fast flowing, spring-fed streams, according to information from Dr. Liem of Djakarta. Rarely bred in captivity.