Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Playful, social loach with striking orange-black stripes. Grows to 30 cm and needs a very large group.

Care Parameters

Adult size

30 cm

Min tank

400 L

Temperature

25–30°C

6–7.5

3–12 dGH

Diet

Omnivore

Temperament

Peaceful

Water zone

Bottom

Difficulty

Intermediate

Schooling

Group of 5 or more.

Suitable Plants

Vallisneria spiralis

Care profile for Vallisneria spiralis: medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Blyxa japonica

Care profile for Blyxa japonica: medium-high light, medium CO₂, intermediate difficulty.

Amazon Sword

Care profile for Amazon Sword: medium light, low CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Bacopa caroliniana

A hardy, straightforward stem plant with thick, oval leaves on upright stems. One of the easiest background plants, tolerating a wide range of conditions and requiring minimal maintenance.

Ludwigia Super Red

A vivid red stem plant that maintains its intense red coloration even under moderate lighting. Hardy and fast-growing, making it accessible for intermediate aquascapers.

Compatible Invertebrates

Amano Shrimp

The classic algae-eating workhorse shrimp, unmatched for clearing hair algae from planted tanks. Hardy at 3-15 dGH, but never breeds in freshwater: its larvae need brackish water, so all reports of 'Amano babies' in freshwater tanks are actually other shrimp species.

Crystal Red Shrimp

A high-grade bee shrimp bred for its striking white-and-red pattern. Demanding keeper: thrives only in soft, acidic water (GH 4-6 dGH) and practically requires reverse-osmosis water with an active buffering substrate. Stable cool temperatures around 22 C are essential.

Mystery Snail

A colorful, active apple snail that cruises the glass for algae and leftover food. Pairs lay their pink egg clutches above the waterline - remove them to avoid overpopulation. Keep hardness at 7-18 dGH and offer calcium-rich foods so the shell stays strong.

Bamboo Shrimp

Also called the wood shrimp, it stations itself in the current and fans microscopic food from the water with its four feathery feeding fans. Needs brisk flow (8-10x tank volume per hour) and regular feedings of powdered or micro food, or it will slowly starve in a clean tank.