| Family | Cobitidae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indonesia |
| Social | Peaceful |
| Tank Level | Bottom |
| Minimum Tank Size | 100 gallons |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Breeding | Spawners (rarely bred in captivity) |
| Care | Moderately difficult |
| pH | 6 to 7.5 |
| Hardness | 5 to 15 dH |
| Temperature | 75 F to 85 F (24 C to 29 C) |
Origin and Distribution
The clown loach hails from the rivers and tributaries of Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. During spawning periods, they migrate to flooded areas of the rainforest where soft, tea-colored water flows through boggy, slow-moving streams. This loach prefers waterways that are shaded by leafy plants and lined with plant detritus such as fallen leaves, twigs, and branches.
Colors and Markings
Like all loaches, the clown loach has a long, pointed nose surrounded by sensitive whisker-like barbels and a sharp spine beneath each eye. These spines are used for defense; in captivity, these may prick fingers or snag on nets, so it's important to be careful when handling your loach.
The clown loach's arched body is long and lean, ideal for cutting through the water. True to its name, its body is bright orange to yellow, and its fins and tail are bright red. It has two wide black V-shaped stripes along the sides of its body and a third black stripe running vertically through its eye.
Tankmates
Peaceful with its own and other species, the clown loach prefers to have companions with which it will form a school. Virtually all non-aggressive fish are suitable as tankmates. Because they prefer to live in groups, it's wise to keep four or more in a tank. They don't like bright light, will hide among plants or rocks as well, and sleep in holes, caves, and other hiding places.
Clown Loach Habitat and Care
Clown loaches are large schooling fish, and they are quite active. You will need a large tank with plenty of space for your loaches to move around. At the same time, however, each and every loach should have several hiding spots available; loaches love enclosed spaces and will sometimes "hide" in caves, tubes, and other hidey-holes. Hiding places can be made of wood or rock; strong, sturdy plants are also a good addition.
Unlike many loach species that are only active at night, the clown loach can be active during the daytime hours—though it's likely to be most lively in the early morning and after dark. To watch your loach at play during waking hours, consider installing a blue "moonlight" tube or another form of bluish lighting, which will encourage your fish to come out to hunt.
Water quality is critical for keeping clown loaches healthy. Take care to keep the water very clean, well-aerated, and warm. An efficient filtration system and frequent water changes are critical. Tank lighting should be subdued, and the substrate should be soft and sandy.
Loaches are particularly prone to Ich infections; watch them closely whenever new fish or plants are added to the tank. In the unfortunate event that an infection does occur, keep in mind that loaches, like catfish, are very sensitive to some medications. Often dosages must be cut in half to be safe. Read product information carefully before treating any loach.
