Clown Loach Botia macracanthus

Common Name Clown Loach

Other Common Names Tiger Loach

Scientific Name Botia macracanthus

Family Cobitidae

Community General

Class Loaches

Temperature 78 ºF

Swimming Range Bottom

Adult Length 11-12 inches

Feeding Habits Live brine shrimp, snails, glass worms, tubifex worms and blood worms. Frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, beef heart, glass worms and vegetable diet.

Compatibility A active schooling fish that mixes well with other active types of fish. Docile and slow moving community fish are not recommended as tankmates, as they tend to become very stressed by the loaches' constant activity.

Habitat Borneo: Moderately decorate with live plants, rocks and driftwood.

Breeding Males have longer forks on their tail fin, and they are heavier than the females.

Additional Comments The Clown Loach is prized as a food fish in its native land. These loaches will alarm their owners by laying on their sides and backs while resting, this is normal Clown Loach behavior. In the evening audible clicking sounds may be made by the loaches. The loaches love for snails makes them very effective in controlling the snail population in any aquarium.