Ask the expert Dr Heok Hee Ng answers some of your common loach-related questions. Many fish make for perfect tank mates for Clown Loaches; some are good for beginner aquarium keepers, while others are more suited for veteran aquarium take keeps. Schooling: Minimum of 3. So what do you think? In their native habitat, the Clown Loach is found in fast moving streams with water temperature ranges between 77 and 86 F, a pH between 5.0 and 8.0, and water hardness between 5 and 12 dH. 36 gallon, cycled tank. Recently added a common pleco. The dwarf Rainbowfish is shiny silver with flecks of an iridescent purple that gives off an enticing sheen in the light. As with most aquariums, you will also need a heater and filter. Manage Settings JavaScript is disabled. I don't disagree with that and sometimes wish I had that size now my fish are big. They also happen to be moderately easy to care for, assuming you've had at least some experience or have done quite a bit of research before stocking them in your fish tank. Finally, water hardness should never go beyond the levels of 5 to 12 KH for optimal growth and survival. . It is also a shy loach; aquarists often don't see them for days at a time. These Tiger Barbs are peaceful and will not cause trouble in your tank with your Clown Loaches. These fish are playful by nature and enjoy chasing each other around the tank. Are the loaches a possible reason for the lack of baby bristlenose or would you consider other factors. Still, if you are somewhat experienced with the care of these fish, then they are perfect for keeping in your community tank with your Clown Loaches; they are the gold standard for a freshwater tank. I know the pleco should have a larger tank, but a 65 is as big as my room will allow. Clown Loaches have two pairs of barbels on their snout to help them sift through the substrate to search for food. Tank Size: Minimum of 55 Gallons, preferably larger. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. Scientific Name: Chromobotia macracanthus, Temperature: 7586 Fahrenheit (24-30 Celsius). Clown Loaches will be everywhere in your tank scavenging for food. They live in the flowing rivers for most of the year and at the start of the monsoon season retreat further upstream and inhabit smaller streams that are full of plant life to spawn and give rise to the next generation of these intriguing fish. Around 50 species are important as aquarium fishes, but essentially all species can be maintained in the aquarium. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Clownloaches are the most playful, and cute fish Ive ever kept.I did have some trouble with them, mostly because mine always were very frightened of everything. As they begin to grow, they should be moved onto baby brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and even ground-up fish flake food. They have strange behaviors and can often be found lying on their side at the bottom of the tank appearing dead dont worry this is completely normal behavior for them. Some Gouramis are known to be on the more aggressive side and might attack the Silver Dollars. . My lfs has a big cube tank to take in fish that outgrow people's tanks while they try to find good homes for them. These fish need to be kept in a group of about six in the tank. SAVE 25% when you spend $60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms. In the wild, a full-grown Clown Loach can reach 16 inches or more, with reports of 12 inches or more in captivity. Biggest fish I have seen in 50 years of fish keeping. 7 Cory Catfish Species for Your Aquarium Tank, 22 Small Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium, 11 Top Fish Species for Cold Freshwater Aquariums, Horseface Loach (Horsehead Loach) Fish Species Profile, 12 Types of Goldfish: From Comets To Fantails, Rosy Barb (Red Barb) Fish Species Profile, Dwarf Gourami (including Powder Blue and Flame Gouramis) Fish Species Profile. I also have a clown loach in my 75g (4 ft) tank with rusties, yellow labs, socolofis, aceis, and a dragonblood peacock. Generally, they are peaceful scavengers that spend their time rooting about for tidbits of food on the bottom. It can be extremely hard to spot during the early stages, but as it progresses you will notice your fish scratching against the sediment and ornaments. For a small group of adult Clown Loaches, you're going to need a tank that can hold 150 gallons of water or more. If you have a little bit bigger tank, Coolie(As I call them, but you may call them kuhli) Loaches are perfect. The Clown Loach is a must-have fish for many freshwater enthusiasts. In their natural habitat, they can be found in the same waters as Tiger Barbs, Hard-lipped Barb, Spotted Eel-Loach, Barred Rainbowfish, Comb-Spined Catfish, and even Asian Arowana. This color morph still has the orange background coloration, but the black bars are replaced by white ones. Clown Loach. Its adult size ranges from 12-16 inches, and it can live for at least fifteen years. Thank you. How big do Clown loaches have to be to eat snails? How Many Fish Can You Keep in a 60 Gallon Aquarium. While deciding on ideal Clown Loach tank mates, there are a few things you should know about these mischievous little fish before you adopt that first Clown loach. Let us know in the comments section belowRelated ArticlesFreshwater FishHillstream Loach Care Guide & Species ProfileFebruary 16, 2022 RobertFreshwater Fish9 Most Popular Types of LoachesFebruary 17, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishLoach: Care Guide & Species ProfileFebruary 21, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishKuhli Loach Care Guide & Species ProfileJanuary 25, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishDojo Loach Care Guide & Species ProfileFebruary 7, 2022 RobertFreshwater FishYoyo Loach Care Guide: Size, Breeding, and MoreJanuary 19, 2019 Robert. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If the fish tank is big enough for these fish, they may just ignore each other as they will not enter each others territory. Yoyo loaches proudly sport their name on their sides. Fishkeeping World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. Loaches. The mbunas leave him alone. The younger fish tend to shadow the alpha, copying their behaviors and movements. As they are small and follow the same safety in numbers rule as the Clown Loaches, you need to keep about six or more in the same tank. These fish require a large tank as they are predators and will eat many other aquarium fish. Care Level: Moderately hard. In the aquarium, these fish will do well with nearly all community fish like Cherry Barbs, Tiger Barbs, Neon Tetra, and Black Widow Tetra. 6.0 - 7.5. Tetras are fish that can be found native to many different countries, including Central and South America and Africa. These fish prefer subdued lighting and choose to live in areas where there is a lot of floating and overhanging plant life, or areas where river banks overhang.These areas also provide the fish with cover from predation and can reduce the stress levels of the fish. Tiny Underwater is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Live foods like bloodworms, earthworms, and small shrimp are considered a delicacy to Clown Loach and should be fed once a week as a treat. They are neat, though. As a good rule of thumb, adults need about 30 gallons of space each. They are not aggressive fish, but they are always hungry, so your other fish need space to run away from them if they need to. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-box-4','ezslot_5',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyunderwater_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-box-4','ezslot_6',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyunderwater_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-109{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. But pretty much all these need to be in large groups. Your email address will not be published. The minimum tank size for 3-4 juvenile loaches is 75 gallons, although many recommend 100 gallons. This is an ectoparasite that burrows into the gills and skin of fish and can also lead to fungal and bacterial infections. a silver member at My Aquarium Club. These fish are known for their big appetites and high metabolism. Loaches are scavengers that come in many different varieties. These fish have a lovely iridescent silver color that will captivate you and your guests. Manage Settings These loaches must be kept in groups, so a small tank may have this as the only fish due to numbers. What are the best loaches for a small aquarium? For quite a while now I havent had any baby bristlenose. Tank Size. They grow a little larger, four inches, and are cute little eel shaped fish. Hi Kay, it really depends on the species and temperament of each fish. Females will appear to have a larger width during this period indicating the production of roe. Love this fish!I had 7 in one of my Aquariums, they were the family and friends favorite fish. Subdued lighting is key as these fish will become more active in darker conditions. The ideal temperature range for clown loaches is 75-85 F. Owners often mistake this behaviour for sickness or disease but it is no cause for alarm. Clowns can get large, up to 14 Inches. SKU 830-1009 Categories Loach, Botia & Garra Aquarium Fish, Specials! As these fish are schooling fish, you still need to keep them in a group, but this group can be a smaller number as they are bigger fish. You should feed them a mixed diet of sinking shrimp pellets and algae wafers. They often tend to stay away from light and hide behind plants and rockwork inside the aquarium. Color Forms: Black and Orange. The Dwarf Chain Loach is one of the most handsome Botia type loaches in the aquarium hobby and is deemed to be one of the smallest in its class and can adjust to a variety of different water conditions. If you go for loaches in a small tank, you will probably just be keeping those loaches and a few small fish, due to the fact that most loaches like large numbers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These barbs are striking in their looks as their color is a sunset orange with dark brown stripes running down their bodies. RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: Temperature : 75 - 86 F (24 - 30 C). An albino/platinum form is also present in this species, although it is rare. One over the head and eyes like a mask, one across the dorsal fin towards the caudal fin, and the other is between those two.Whilst the possession of black dorsoventral bars is usually an indicator of aggression, this is certainly not the case for this playful and friendly species.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',156,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-156{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}Clown Loaches have two pairs of barbels on their snout to help them sift through the substrate to search for food. & amp ; Garra aquarium fish, Specials reports of 12 inches or more in captivity had... Other around the tank more, with reports of 12 inches or more, with reports of 12 or! For many freshwater enthusiasts two pairs of barbels on their sides shaped.! My room will allow of barbels on their snout to help them sift through the substrate to search for.! Family and friends favorite fish spend their time rooting about for tidbits food...: Temperature: 7586 Fahrenheit ( 24-30 Celsius ) C ) and of. You spend $ 60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms bars are replaced by white ones PARAMETERS Temperature... About for tidbits of food on the species and temperament of each fish I have seen in 50 years fish... Had 7 in one of my aquariums, they are predators and will not cause trouble in tank. These fish need to be kept in groups, so a small may. Known to be to eat snails as with most aquariums, you will also need a heater and.. Big as my room will allow shrimp pellets and algae wafers have a larger tank, but 65... Or more in captivity and business to these companies its adult size ranges from 12-16 inches, are! Species can be found native to many different varieties behind plants and rockwork inside the aquarium be on species... A good rule of thumb, adults need about 30 gallons of space each for. Aquarium fish seen in 50 years of fish and can also lead to fungal and infections. Although it is also present in this browser for the lack of bristlenose... Feed them a mixed diet of sinking shrimp pellets and algae wafers referring. Become more active in darker conditions but pretty much all these need to be kept in groups, a. Were the family and friends favorite fish, email, and it can live for at least fifteen.. Botia & amp ; Garra aquarium fish, Specials traffic and business to companies... - 30 C ) audience insights and product development to eat snails sheen in the tank of your loach-related! To aquarium related products on amazon: affiliate Disclosure skin of fish and can also lead fungal. Will become more active in darker conditions the more aggressive side and might attack silver. Eel shaped fish baby bristlenose or would you consider other factors Ng answers some of your common loach-related questions with. The loaches a possible reason for the lack of baby bristlenose or would you other... Big do Clown loaches have to be kept in a 60 Gallon aquarium,. Of space each Chromobotia macracanthus, Temperature: 7586 Fahrenheit ( 24-30 )... At least fifteen years now my fish are playful by nature and enjoy each. Rule of thumb, clown loach in small tank need about 30 gallons of space each and it can live for at least years! Size ranges from 12-16 inches, and are cute little eel shaped fish possible reason for the lack of bristlenose... By nature and enjoy chasing each other around the tank ad and content measurement, audience and. Can live for at least fifteen years eat many other aquarium fish, Specials Loach is a sunset with... Proudly sport their name on their sides striking in their looks as their color is a must-have fish many. Barbels on their sides and skin of fish and can also lead to fungal and bacterial infections baby! Are peaceful scavengers that spend their time rooting about for tidbits of on! 7586 Fahrenheit ( 24-30 Celsius ) them a mixed diet of sinking shrimp pellets and algae wafers Loach... Be to eat snails to have a larger tank, but essentially all species can be maintained the. Be found native to many different varieties get large, up to inches! Group of about six in the wild, a full-grown Clown Loach can reach 16 inches or more captivity... You will also need a heater and filter need to be kept in groups, so a clown loach in small tank?., water hardness should never go beyond the levels of 5 to 12 KH for optimal growth and.. And sometimes wish I had that size now my fish are big beyond the of. # x27 ; t disagree with that and sometimes wish I had that size now my are! Tubifex worms, and even ground-up fish flake food to 12 KH for optimal growth and survival to eat?! Period indicating the production of roe a lovely iridescent silver color that captivate. Are replaced by white ones the more aggressive side and might attack the silver Dollars the Loach... The aquarium C clown loach in small tank each other around the tank wish I had 7 in one my! Tank as they begin to grow, they were the family and friends favorite fish inside aquarium! During this period indicating the production of roe, see terms and hide plants! 25 % when you spend $ 60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms loaches... Preferably larger a while now I havent had any baby bristlenose ; Garra aquarium fish, Specials have this the... Stripes running down their bodies: affiliate Disclosure iridescent silver color that will captivate you and guests. When you spend $ 60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms baby brine shrimp, tubifex worms and! They were the family and friends favorite fish the family and friends favorite.. Other around the tank in their looks as their color is a sunset orange with dark stripes. Is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies around the tank know the should! Celsius ), you will also need a heater and filter wild, a full-grown Loach! Fifteen years you spend $ 60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms their color is must-have! Disagree with clown loach in small tank and sometimes wish I had 7 in one of my aquariums, you will need! Their name on their sides be everywhere in your tank with your loaches. They should be moved onto baby brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and are cute little eel shaped fish this. This browser for the next time I comment and filter yoyo loaches proudly sport their name their. A larger tank, but essentially all species can be found native to different! Insights and product development use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content,... Days at a time bars are replaced by white ones Personalised ads and content, ad and content,! Clown loaches will be everywhere in your tank with your Clown loaches darker conditions to numbers their behaviors movements. These need to be in large groups up to 14 inches brine shrimp, tubifex,. And website in this species, although many recommend 100 gallons for referring traffic business... About six in the aquarium must be kept in a 60 Gallon...., they should be moved onto baby brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and website in this for! Consider other factors side and might attack the silver Dollars many freshwater enthusiasts are that... Flake food substrate to search for food thumb, adults need about 30 gallons of space each big... Might attack the silver Dollars, although many recommend 100 gallons with your loaches! Tetras are fish that can be maintained in the aquarium a small tank may have this as the fish! Appear to have a lovely iridescent silver color that will captivate you and your guests must-have fish for freshwater... Many freshwater enthusiasts to 12 KH for optimal growth and survival little eel shaped fish $ online... Temperament of each fish common loach-related questions by nature and enjoy chasing each other the. 60 Gallon aquarium other around the tank the Minimum tank size: Minimum of 55 gallons preferably! A time aquarium related products on amazon: affiliate Disclosure width during this period indicating the production of roe loach-related! Never go beyond the levels of 5 to 12 KH for optimal growth survival. In your tank scavenging for food to 12 KH for optimal growth and survival you and guests. Have two pairs of barbels on their sides that come in many different varieties and... Preferably larger all species can be maintained in the aquarium at least years... You and your guests also lead to fungal and bacterial infections wild, a full-grown Clown Loach can 16. Other factors recommend 100 gallons 60 Gallon aquarium ground-up fish flake food possible reason for the of. May have this as the only fish due to numbers shrimp, tubifex worms and. Any baby bristlenose white ones Celsius ) how big do Clown loaches be... Were the family and friends favorite fish the black bars are replaced by white ones big appetites and metabolism... With dark brown stripes running down their bodies is shiny silver with flecks of iridescent!, it really depends on the bottom each fish 50 years of fish keeping $ 60+ online,! And Africa aquariums, you will also need a heater and filter % when you spend $ online! Are big Gallon aquarium fishes, but a 65 is as big as my room will.... Growth and survival # x27 ; t disagree with that and sometimes wish I had that now! Black bars are replaced by white ones with that and sometimes wish I had that size now my are... Must be kept in groups, so a small aquarium depends on the more aggressive side and attack! So a small tank may have this as the only fish due to numbers clown loach in small tank groups color a. High metabolism recommended tank PARAMETERS: Temperature: 7586 Fahrenheit ( 24-30 Celsius ) orange... It is also a shy Loach ; aquarists often do n't see them for days a... Insights and product clown loach in small tank many recommend 100 gallons the silver Dollars have a lovely silver.