🐡 Clown Loach Chromobotia macracanthus

The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is a moderate-care, peaceful species from Borneo and Sumatra. Adults reach roughly 8", so plan on a minimum tank of 75 gallons. Keep the water between 77–86°F with a pH of 6–7.5. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 5 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Clown Loach

MollySwordtailAngelfishDiscusKribensisRosy BarbDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBristlenose PlecoCommon PlecoKuhli LoachPictus CatfishScissortail RasboraGiant DanioDenison BarbBoesemani RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishKissing GouramiMoonlight GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidSeverumElectric Blue AcaraBlue AcaraGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachDojo LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterBala SharkRainbow SharkFlying FoxAfrican Butterfly FishGolden Wonder KillifishSilver DollarTinfoil BarbTurquoise RainbowfishRed RainbowfishSnakeskin GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiGold SeverumChocolate CichlidFestivum CichlidStriped Raphael CatfishRed-Tail Tinfoil BarbWeather LoachHorseface LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Gold Nugget Pleco (L177)Royal Pleco (L190)Vampire ShrimpRed SwordtailSailfin Molly

Avoid these tankmates

White Cloud MinnowCherry ShrimpGold BarbHillstream LoachBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishCommon GoldfishFancy GoldfishRosy Red MinnowCrystal Red ShrimpBlue Dream ShrimpYellow ShrimpBlack Diamond ShrimpBumblebee ShrimpLyretail Killifish

See the full tankmate guide for Clown Loach →