Clown Loach Fact Sheet

The clown loach is one of the most popular ornamental fish for freshwater aquariums, but many novice fishkeepers fail to provide the species with the amount of space and interaction that it requires. As a long-term aquarist, I have always admired the clown loach because of its beautiful coloration and entertaining behavior.

When kept properly, a clown loach may live a decade or more . Use this clown loach care guide to give your fishy friend the long, healthy life he deserves.

Adult Size

Clown loaches in pet stores are almost always very young fry, so fishkeepers may underestimate the animal's adult size. Many healthy clown loaches have exceeded one foot in length.

Tank Size

A clown loach can not live for more than one to two years in a small tank. A 55 gallon aquarium is the minimal acceptable tank size for an adult cown loach.

Social Behavior

Clown loaches are friendly and social; they get along well with each other and other species. To thrive, these peaceful fish should be kept in small schools of four or more individuals.

Tank Mates

Clown loaches can live with almost any peaceful tankmates. They will gladly school with fish that have similar patterns, including the tiger barb.

Life Span

Expect your well-kept clown loach to live 10-12 years. In poor conditions, a clown loach will have a much shorter life expectancy.

Diet

Clown loaches eat a wide variety of plant-based foods and small bits of animal matter. Fresh, frozen and flake food are all acceptable foods; clown loaches will also help to clean up algae.

Breeding

Your clown loaches aren't likely to breed in a home aquarium; few breeders have successfully conditioned them to lay eggs. Most clown loaches are wild-caught in Borneo; they swim into bamboo traps and are sold to Western markets.

Water Parameters

Keep your clown loach at a pH between 6-7.5. Nitrate levels should remain below 25 and ammonia levels should remain nearly undetectable. Frequent water changes are essential.

Temperature

These tropical fish can only thrive in warm tanks. Clown loaches will only thrive at a temperature between 75-85 degrees.

Variations

Because it is resistent to commercial breeding, there are no domesticated varieties of clown loach.