Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)
Common Name: Clown loach

Scientific name: Chromobotia macracanthus

Max Size: 11.8 inches

Origin: Malay peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra

Min Tank Size: 20 Gallon

Compatibility: Community tank. Best kept in groups of 6 or more.

Temperature: 24-29celsius

Water chemistry: PH 6.0-7.5

Diet: Flakes, bloodworms, brineshrimp

Care level: Medium

Sexing: Hard
CARE
This is a wonderful loach, but too large for most hobbyist aquariums. Allowed a minimum of 75 gallons or more, young Clown Loaches thrive in groups. They require large turnover, efficient filtration systems and current supplied by additional power-heads, frequent water-changes and great attention to cleanliness in the aquarium.
COMMENTS
This fish is a scale less fish and has a very thick skin due to this the clown loach is very sensitive to medications. Clowns are somewhat nocturanal in nature and often very lively in the early morning and after dusk. The addition of a blue moon light tube, or some other form of blue lighting, phased to come on before the main lights, and go off after them, will allow the owner to observe the fish at their most liveliest and entertaining. This will also avoid the fish being shocked by a sudden change in brightness.

Clowns will engage every so often in what we term "Loach-dancing". The whole group may tumble over one another in a vertically oriented, rotating group that will maintain this behaviour for quite a long time. Newly introduced groups of fish to an unfamiliar setting may act like this for a couple of days after introduction.

Another strange behaviour, common to most Botiine Loaches is the habit of sleeping in weird places and at weird attitudes. A new owner may be disturbed to find the fish laying on its side or upside down, often under some decor or in a cave structure. This is just Clowns being Clowns and it is partially their behaviour patterns that get them their common name. They are nothing if not entertaining.

BREEDING
They have been bred in a home aquarium but it is very hard, If not near impossible.