Clown Loach

March is the perfect time to celebrate the Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus).  The clown loach is the most popular Botia fish in the aquarium hobby.  Wild caught and farm raised, the clown loach is native to Borneo and Sumatra.  Slight variations in color and stripes are normal, no two clown loach look exactly alike.  Females are wider and heavier set than thinner males.  Many stories exist about their maximum size, adult clown loach are typically 6-8 inches.  They can live more than 10 years and  may grow larger with a generous diet.
Clown loach like a peaceful, planted aquarium of at least 30 gallons with a moderate pH near 7.2 and a temperature of at least 78 degrees. Aquarium wood provides a great place for their mid day naps that are often mistaken for death.   When kept alone clown loach hide more than when kept in groups of three or more.  Swimming upside down, sideways and even backwards is not unusual for these clowns.

Clown loach are often purchased for their ability to eat unwanted snails. In time, many hobbyist become very attached to their clown loach.  These fish are very soft looking but there is a paradox.  The clown loach has very sharp spines on each side of it’s mouth, never handle these fish.  One more surprise from these clowns is the sounds can they make with their pharyngeal teeth.  Frequently dogs and cats are quite surprised by these fish when they hear the odd sound coming from the aquarium. New clown loach are succeptable to ich.  Warmer water and feedings of blood worms and shrimp promote a strong immune system.  Remember clown loach are scaleless if medication becomes necessary. Traditional ich medications must be used with caution, Seachem’s paraguard is a safe and effective cure if needed.  Although loaches like it warm, wintertime is clown loach season at Centreville Aquarium.