Chromobotia macracanthus
The orange and black classic that grows up to 30 cm in a proper tank. Routinely sold as a 4 cm juvenile to keepers with 60 L tanks. Long-lived (25+ years) and highly social, never keep singly. Hardcoded for nano-tanks: no.
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) reaches 20–30 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 450 L. Native to Sumatra and Borneo, it lives in the bottom to mid water column with a peaceful (active and social) temperament. Aim for 25–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 5–15 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 20–25 years with good care. Keep clown loach in groups of 5+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore (loves snails), Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, snails as natural pest control. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: No.
Care at a glance
The orange and black classic that grows up to 30 cm in a proper tank. Routinely sold as a 4 cm juvenile to keepers with 60 L tanks. Long-lived (25+ years) and highly social, never keep singly. Hardcoded for nano-tanks: no.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether clown loach fits in your tank.
Bottom to mid
Yes
Group of 5+
Botiidae
Omnivore (loves snails)
Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, snails as natural pest control.
20–25 yrs
Very hard (almost never bred in home tanks)
Sumatra and Borneo
Sumatra and Borneo
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) needs a minimum tank of 450 L. They live in the bottom to mid water column and should be kept in groups of 5+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 25–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 5–15 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: No. Plant safety: Yes.
Clown Loach are omnivore (loves snails). Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, snails as natural pest control.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 3/5. Intermediate, stable parameters and a mature tank matter. Breeding difficulty: very hard (almost never bred in home tanks).
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 20–25 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
