5 Loaches’ Eye Knives. Instead of scales, this fish produces a type of mucus on its body for protection. Clown loaches can m… Water should be at pH 6.2–7.0, temperature at 25-30°C/77-86°F. Natural Habitat, Identification, and Where to Buy, Physiological Considerations for Clown Loach, Gender, Breeding, and Reproductive Considerations, Common Diseases and How to Avoid and Treat Them. Find Black Kuhli loaches for sale at your local PetSmart store! They don't like bright light, will hide among plants or rocks as well, and sleep in holes, caves, and other hiding places. They are known for being an orangish-yellow color. While it may not be easy to see the spots when they first appear, the fish respond to this disease by scraping their bodies against their environments. Diet of Clown Loach. There are very few documented cases of clown loaches breeding in captivity. These spines are used for defense; in captivity, they may prick fingers snag on nets, so it's important to be careful when handling your pet. Clown Loaches have an arched body. There are various theories about caudal fin lobe shapes being different, but these are inconclusive. You should be careful when handling a clown loach because they have a spine under each eye. Are there any signs to look for to know if your clown loach is sick? Borneo’s have black pigmentation on their fins. To ensure your fish’s health, you should strive to keep the water temperature of the aquarium at 86°F and with a pH level range of 7.4-7.8. While these spines are not venomous, they are sharp enough to cut if touched. The fish's body is long and laterally compressed, with an arched dorsal surface and a flat ventral surface. One disease they are especially at risk for is called Ich. Clown Loaches are wide bodied fish that have a large moveable spine set in a groove below each of the fish’s eyes that is used for defense and holding onto rocks in swift currents. Water should be at pH 6.2–7.0, temperature at 25-30°C/77-86°F. Water quality is critical for keeping clown loaches healthy. The Clown Loach is an awesome fish and i soon will have a tank over 6 feet long that I can house a few. Ich can be treated by a variety of over the counter medications. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. Unfortunately, I lost one of my 15 clown loach school this evening. Critters and fish that make good companions for your clown loaches include: For your clown loaches, you’ll need to avoid keeping these fish: Clown loaches are omnivores and eat a wide range of things. In nature, this type of fish lives most of their lives in large and slow-moving rivers. Clown Loach Choked To Death 10/31/19 Hi, I have a, hopefully, simple question. Virtually all clown loaches sold for aquaria are captured in the wild. The Clown Loach has a mouth that is like other loaches such as a catfish. You can also feed them algae sheets or wafers. It is during the peak of the monsoon seasons that the fish will spawn both the flood plain and the small streams connected to it. Distribution: Malay peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra . It has several pairs of barbels around its lips that help it when scavenging for good. Due to their color, they are extremely popular and over the last few decades have been extensively harvested from their homes to be sold in the aquarium industry. Ideally, they’ll be kept in large community tanks in shoals of at least five clown loaches. Over the course of time, the female will grow larger. Information about the maximum size of the clown loach varies, with some estimates ranging up to 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in), and with typical adult sizes ranging from 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in). The body arches high at the dorsal fin, but is streamlined and clearly built for fast movement. Like all loaches, the clown loach has a long, pointed nose surrounded by sensitive whisker-like barbels and a sharp spine beneath each eye. Consider schooling tetras, mollies and platys, single-tail goldfish, glass catfish, algae-eating Bristlenose or Clown plecos, or bottom feeders like Clown loaches and Corydoras species. Before dealing with a clown loach, you should know that clown loaches have a movable spine that is located right underneath their eyes. Like all loaches, the Clown Loach has a long, pointed nose surrounded by sensitive whisker-like barbels and a sharp defensive spine beneath each eye. This includes using copper-based medications on your clown loaches. Clown loaches are normally the first fish to show this symptom in a community tank, so if you notice any symptoms, it is important to provide care as soon as possible. Hence, you might want to be careful while handling it every now and then. They do well with a mix of algae wafers, live foods, and freeze-dried treats like brine shrimp and bloodworms. These spines are used for defense; in captivity, these may prick fingers or snag on nets, so it's important to be careful when handling your loach. By choosing the right plants you will give your fish access to dark corners they will love. This is normal for clown loaches, though and just a part of their unique character. It was in 2005, Dr. Maurice Kottelat classified it into a genus of its own Chromobotia. In some species, such as the spined loach (Cobitis taenia) of Eurasia, there is also a short, movable spine near each eye. This fish is known to have pointy spines which are located right below the eyes. Another key to your tank is making sure to have subdued lighting. These spines are used for defense; in captivity, these may prick fingers or snag on nets, so it’s important to be careful when handling your loach. These plants will act as a place for the fish to hide and provide shade. The clown loach has a movable spine present below the eyes that can be extended to inflict a painful sting (though non-venomous). My clown loach does come out sometimes when I am asleep or not around. Like all loaches, the clown loach has a long, pointed nose surrounded by sensitive whisker-like barbels and a sharp spine beneath each eye. Unlike many loach species that are only active at night, the clown loach can be active during the daytime hours—though it's likely to be most lively in the early morning and after dark. Regardless of how bright they may be, every fish has three black bands. Hence, you might want to be careful while handling it every now and then. The right kind of lighting can be achieved by adding in a variety of floating plants, like Java Moss, Hornwort, Water Spangles, or Riccia Fluitans. My clown loach spends all of his time in either a large rock-cavern ornament, or a small barrel ornament I have in my tank. The spine can pierce another fish but is not venomous. In fact, they’re even named so―”clown loach”―as an ode to the bright colors and stripes that adorn their bodies, along with their comical antics mentioned above. They thrive in schools and tend to be found foraging through the substrate of their habitat, whether that be in the wild or an aquarium. They like to live in places where there is plenty of floating and overhanging plant or where riverbanks can overhang. I have seen a stressed loach before, swimming with his head out the water all frantic, ---this is not what they look like, they barely touch the surface. It's even harder to imagine that this beautiful fish is eaten as food fish in Indonesia and Borneo, where it grows to over a foot in length. Specifics to consider feeding your clown loach include: Beware that clown loaches especially love to snack on snails, so don’t bother to attempt keeping them together in the same fish tank – unless you mean for the snails to become dinner! Their dorsal line of the fish is curved while the bottom is flat. Clown Loaches are wide bodied fish that have a large moveable spine set in a groove below each of the fish’s eyes that is used for defense and holding onto rocks in swift currents. It feeds mainly on insects and water plants can be eaten, too. Also, Clown Loaches have a sub-ocular spine the protrudes from beneath the eye, therefore when using a net to catch a Clown Loach, you should be careful not to allow this spine to caught on the net. While not venomous, any fish owner that gets an injury from this spine will remember it for a very long time. Get it free when you sign up for the Spruce Pets. My clown loach does come out sometimes when I am asleep or not around. Clown loaches have a typical loach body shape, with a long, pointed nose complete with sensing barbels. Males can be identified by the tail, which is larger, forming a more pointed V-shape, and is more brightly colored. question 2: in my 30/40l tank, I have a bunch of fish and the 2 types I've noticed doing the following was harlequins and lemon tetras. Are there any signs to look for to know if your clown loach is sick? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take a look at this video: That´s one of my 4" YoYo that got it´s spine bent laterally. Clown loaches are omnivores, though in the wild they tend to focus their attention on critters like snails, worms, and other small invertebrates. It is very sharp, and in their natural habitat, it is used to protect them from their enemies. The clown loach has a movable spine present below the eyes that can be extended to inflict a painful sting (though non-venomous). These fish have a movable spine, which lies in a groove close to the mouth, below the eyes. Its habitats are waters with slow flow or impounded waters, so it can be said that the fish doesn’t like water flows presence. In fact, they’re even named so―”clown loach”―as an ode to the bright colors and stripes that adorn their bodies, along with their comical antics mentioned above. In an aquarium, this fish can use the hidden spine under stress. By including these materials in your aquarium, you will help give your tank a natural feel that your fish can appreciate. Clown loaches are notoriously difficult to breed within captivity and even expert fish keepers can find it hard. Yoyo loaches do best when kept in peaceful communities with similar sized or smaller tank mates that have overlapping care requirements. A typical loach has very small scales and three to six pairs of whiskerlike barbels around its mouth. Clown Loaches can susceptible to and are easily infected by all of the major freshwater fish diseases. While most of the fish that have black bars over their dorsoventral use this as a sign of aggression to warn off other fish and predators. Wild clown loaches can reach a foot in length, but they will typically grow to around 12 inches in the aquarium. Backwaters, ponds, lakes are typical habitats for yoyo loach. One of the bars is over the head and eyes like a mask, one is across its dorsal fin, and the other is in the middle. Virtually all non-aggressive fish are suitable as tankmates. One option for this is to feed them slices of squash, zucchini, or potato that has been microwaved for at least twenty seconds. The fish inhabits in India and Pakistan. Ideally, you should feed them several small meals throughout the day. There are many species of loach, and all are worth considering for your freshwater tank. For setting up the best home for your fish, there needs to be an ideal mix of various substrates like sand and pebbles. When you are trying to set up the areas of light and dark in your tank, it is important to make sure the area of light is subdued. A Clown Loach will most likely display signs of illness, especially Ich, during and after a move. It's important when buying clown loaches to select only those with bright colors and those fish that are at least a few inches long. These larger fish really enjoy playing with each other and chasing each other around the aquarium – which is part of why you need at least a 100-gallon aquarium for their true health and happiness. They have bodies that are laterally compressed and are known to have a forked tail fin that they use for propelling through the water. The Sumatran species is known for having orangish-red pectoral fins. The Clown Loach's arched body is long and lean, ideal for cutting through the water. If you desire to have a more natural look, you can mix in pebbles, rocks, and gravel. To watch your loach at play during waking hours, consider installing a blue "moonlight" tube or another form of bluish lighting, which will encourage your fish to come out to hunt. This fish benefits greatly from being fed live or frozen blackworms. Top. You will need a large tank with plenty of space for your loaches to move around. Q. Tank lighting should be subdued, and the substrate should be soft and sandy. Males tend to have brighter colors and larger tails with an exaggerated V shape. It has two wide black V-shaped stripes along the sides of its body and a third black stripe running vertically through its eye. The word "macracanthus" stands for "big spine", and as this name suggests they have a pre orbital spine that is quite large. Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) This is among the largest of the botiid species, to 30cm/11.8”, so plan your tank accordingly — especially since it is best to keep three or more individuals. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They thrive best in tanks with moving water. Clown loaches, extremely popular as aquarium fish, are available in many pet stores. question 2: in my 30/40l tank, I have a bunch of fish and the 2 types I've noticed doing the following was harlequins and lemon tetras. Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus, earlier named Botia macracanthus) was first described in 1852. To keep these fish in a tank, they need similar protection. These spines are used for defense; in captivity, these may prick fingers or snag on nets, so it’s important to be careful when handling your loach. After planting your plants, you can add a variety of rocks, caves, and driftwood to provide additional places for your fish. My 450L Loaches tank 31 clown, 5 morleti, 2 sidthimunki. The Clown Loach, sometimes called the Tiger Botia, is an extremely popular aquarium fish. These relatives of carp and minnows are true martial arts masters. While the Clown Loaches have this mark, they are instead friendly and playful. If you are pricked with this, it can deliver an extremely painful wound. Clown loaches have scales, despite some rumors! You should be careful when handling a clown loach because they have a spine under each eye. lazy clown loach, spine out. The clown loach's arched body is long and lean, ideal for cutting through the water. Before handling a clown loach, you should be aware of the fact that clown loaches have a movable spine set just beneath their eyes. Sexual dimorphism: Mature fish deepen considerably and females tend to be bulkier. At the same time, however, each and every loach should have several hiding spots available; loaches love enclosed spaces and will sometimes "hide" in caves, tubes, and other hidey-holes. If you've ever seen a school of clown loaches, it's hard to resist bringing a few of them home. The clown loach is sometimes called a scaleless fish, but it actually does have small scales embedded in its skin. Low lighting, at least than 1 watt per gallon space, Fragile décor items, sharp items with jagged edges that could snag your loaches’ tails or fins. The clown loach hails from the rivers and tributaries of Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Clown Loaches are a tropical freshwater fish that is part of the Botiidae family. The clown loach is a peaceful fish and coexists well with nearly any tankmate. rich Posts: 837 Peter Bleeker (Dutch doctor, ichthyologist) was the first who mentioned this fish kind and classified the fish as a loaches fish class.Since 2004 clown loach was officially classified as a separate kind of loaches family with Greek name Chromobotia. Price may vary by location. Clown Loach is a common name for a freshwater fish in the genus Chromobotia Macracanthus in the family Cobitidae of the order Cypriniformes. Synonyms: Botia macracantha, Cobitis macracanthus, Chromobotia macracanthus . Required fields are marked *. This fish will need a good sized tank as an adult because in the aquarium a Clown Loach can grow up to about 6 1/2 to 8 inches (16-20 cm) long. The Chromobotia was first described as Cobitis by Pieter Bleeker in 1852; later, in 1989, it was changed to Botia. You can even feed them on earthworms, as long as you harvest the worms from soil that hasn't been fertilized recently. Like all loaches, the clown loach has a long, pointed nose surrounded by sensitive whisker-like barbels and a sharp spine beneath each eye. Omnivorous by nature, Clown Loaches feed on both plant matters and flesh. While there are many questions that professional aquarist has about why a common thought is that in the wild clown loaches grow bigger than they do in the wild due to the typical aquarium not being big enough. You can enjoy watching the fish on the day when it is most active. Hence, you must handle a clown loach with care. Before handling a clown loach, you should be aware of the fact that clown loaches have a movable spine set just beneath their eyes. Because they prefer to live in groups, it's wise to keep four or more in a tank. True to its name, its body is bright orangey-yellow, and its fins and tail are bright red. Fortunately for the clown loach, among aquarium enthusiasts, it's a staple in the community tank rather than on the dining table. Our free guide can help keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. Before dealing with a clown loach, you should know that clown loaches have a movable spine that is located right underneath their eyes. There is no need for getting a heavy-duty if the system you pick is effective at cycling out the nitrates and ammonia. Clown Loach is known for its vibrant colors. Other symptoms of this disease include a loss of appetite and unusual hiding behavior. Hence, you must handle a clown loach with care. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, More Pet Fish Species and Further Research, Horseface Loach (Horsehead Loach) Fish Species Profile, Zebra Loach (Candy Stripe Loach) Fish Species Profile. It’s believed to be used for defense or even for predatory tactics. The barbelson the lower jaw are small and difficult to see. I don´t have a clue what did that but unfortunatelly, he passad away. I don´t have a clue what did that but unfortunatelly, he passad away. I got him because I have a snail infestation in my tank, and the fish dude at the petsmart told me to get a clown loach for it. They need to be kept in separate tanks and fed highly nutritious food for several weeks. Clown loaches tank should be spacious since the fish grows to be rather large – up to 16-20 cm long. They have a spine underneath each eye that becomes erect when they are stressed in some way. You can enjoy watching the fish on the day when it is most active. Some of the best plants for making your Clown Loaches include Hornwort, Java Moss, Anubias, Water Spangles, Amazon Sword, and Riccia Fluitans. Once you identify that a fish is sick, they should be removed from the tank and isolated for a month, throughout their treatment. Special care should be taken at these times. I like to feed them these sinking shrimp pellets made by omega one. rich Posts: 837 To keep them in good health it is important to include quality fish food as a staple. Originally found in Indonesia, their unique appearance is what drew the attention to them. With fewer than five, you’ll find your little clowns are less playful and keep to themselves more. The next step should be to place both in an aquarium with high water quality and a lot of plants. They’ll love you forever for it! Often dosages must be cut in half to be safe. Clown loaches rarely or never breed in captivity. I am wondering what are some good types of fish that would fit best with the clowns. If you see any dead fish, steer clear of the tank system; there is a good chance you'll be buying a loach that is already infected with Ich. When monsoon season comes around, they migrate upwards into the flood plains. Their distinct shape and colors help them stand out from other aquarium fishes. These fish have a movable spine, which lies in a groove close to the mouth, below the eyes. Aquarists love these schooling fish with orange and black striped bodies, red fins, and playful attitudes. Peaceful with its own and other species, the clown loach prefers to have companions with which it will form a school. All loaches possess very sharp, bony spines behind their eyes that they can unfold and use to warn off other fish (and the occasional fish keeper who insists on taking them to shows). These spines can be extended as needed for self dense. Lifespan of Clown Loach. Not only will the right plants give shade and a place to play for your fish, but they serve other functions. Clown loaches will even eat any annoying snails that wind up in your aquarium. Originally found in Indonesia, their unique appearance is what drew the attention to them. Take a look at this video: That´s one of my 4" YoYo that got it´s spine bent laterally. It’s believed to be used for defense or even for predatory tactics. Tiger barbs, black molly, and clown loach adding a splash of color to your aquarium After building the base, the next step is to add in live plants. Clown Loaches are shy fish and benefit from having live plants and river rocks in the aquarium to hide amongst. They range in adult length from the 23 mm (1 in) miniature eel-loach, Pangio longimanus, to the 50 cm (20 in) imperial flower loach, Leptobotia elongata, with the latter weighing up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs). This breed of fish enjoys warm water and to keep them healthy, it is important to make sure your aquarium has a quality filter and heater. The vibrant nature of their color can change from fish to fish. Besides allowing the fish to have lower light, these kinds of places help the fish to have cover from predators and reduce the stress of the fish. Swiss ichthyologist Maurice Kottelat initiated this chan… Loaches are particularly prone to Ich infections; watch them closely whenever new fish or plants are added to the tank. Q. There is a rare albino/platinum coloring that can appear naturally in this species. Clown loaches have four pairs of barbels, with one set on the lower jaw where it’s difficult to spot. Top. When you pick your plants it’s best to get strong plants that thrive in low light and can handle being chewed and pulled on. The first step is to acquire sufficiently old enough fish that are about six inches long. Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) This is among the largest of the botiid species, to 30cm/11.8”, so plan your tank accordingly — especially since it is best to keep three or more individuals. These fish can live up to ten years and can easily be purchased from local pet stores. The ideal water for Clown Loaches needs to be a temperature ranging from 77-86°F and a pH of 6-8. He’s passionate about helping more people find joy in fishkeeping and teaching them how to become expert pet parents at VIVOFISH. My 450L Loaches tank 31 clown, 5 morleti, 2 sidthimunki. Your Clown loach looks great to me. An efficient filtration system and frequent water changes are critical. Common name: Clown Loach. Your Clown loach looks great to me. True to its name, its body is bright orange to yellow, and its fins and tail are bright red. ... Clown Loach: Boost up your hobby of fish keeping and go through the care guide of this playful pet fish. In gener If you do not handle the fish carefully you can get your finger pricked which can lead to a painful wound. The flood plains are teeming with plant life both over and under weather. These fish like to be in clear rivers and streams with slow-moving water that is located on islands. Part of why Clown Loaches have become popular is because of their interesting look. Like most fish, they have a lateral line system that is used for sensing water pressure changes as an alert for potential predators around them. Ask the expert. Younger fish will shadow and mimic the alpha’s movements and behavior. In the aquarium, clown loaches need to have a mixed diet made up of a wide variety of food options. If you want to try and recreate this environment for your fish, try having a sandy substrate at the bottom of your tank will help. While there are no full-proof methods for making sure of breeding success for your fish, there are a few things you can do to help ensure it. At the store, look carefully at the tank to be sure it is well kept and that the fish seem comfortable and healthy. Hiding places can be made of wood or rock; strong, sturdy plants are also a good addition. If a female does spawn in an aquarium setting, there is an excellent chance that they will not be fertilized and that she or her male counterparts will eat the eggs before they hatch. They will also happily eat tubifex and bloodworms. This species of fish is known for being sexually dimorphic. Providing the right living conditions helps in extending their lifespan in captivity. Clown loaches are tropical freshwater fish, belonging to the botiid loach family. As a result, very little information is known about their breeding habits and needs. This species of fish also has a very complex hierarchy, usually with an alpha female dictating the patterns and lives of the others. They can use it to defend themselves or attack other fish, which only happens in one instance as far as I know because the clown loaches are very peaceful normally. Some of these fish can have a pale yellow whereas others have a captivating orange coloring. … When looking at filtration systems for your tank, it is okay to use standard equipment. Its head is relatively large and its mouth faces downward with thick, fleshy lips, and four pairs of barbels. Typically, they will be on sale if you purchase in shoals. Clown Loach: Description and behavior Clown loach in an aquarium Information about the maximum size of the clown loach varies, with some estimates ranging up to 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in), and with typical adult sizes ranging from 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in). Clown loaches are tropical freshwater fish, belonging to the botiid loach family. This loach prefers waterways that are shaded by leafy plants and lined with plant detritus such as fallen leaves, twigs, and branches. Its peaceful nature makes it an ideal candidate for a community tank. In the wild, clown loaches are found in the company of Asian arowana, barred rainbowfish, comb-spined catfish, hard-lipped barbs, spotted eel loaches, and tiger barbs. They are native to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. But careless fish keepers scooping up loaches may get a little more than they bargained for in the form of nasty cuts. I got him because I have a snail infestation in my tank, and the fish dude at the petsmart told me to get a clown loach for it. Whichever plants you choose, it is important to incorporate a variety of them. Clown Loaches are wide bodied fish that have a large moveable spine set in a groove below each of the fish’s eyes that is used for defense and holding onto rocks in swift currents. Clown loaches are a very peaceful and extremely social species of fish. It will form a school of clown loaches are shy fish and I will... Inflict a painful sting ( though non-venomous ) information is known to have a, hopefully, simple question a! Aquarium fishes greatly from being fed live or frozen blackworms ; strong, sturdy plants are also a addition! With which it will form a school of clown loaches are tropical freshwater fish that is for! Them how to become expert pet parents at VIVOFISH can change from fish to hide amongst with care to. 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Mouth, below the eyes that can be identified by the tail to their mouth these relatives of carp minnows! Possible to prevent the disease from spreading to the mouth, below the eyes a peaceful fish benefit. To be used for defense or even for predatory tactics though and just a part of why loaches! Stripe running vertically through its eye Bleeker in 1852 with thick, fleshy lips, and branches fallen,... Desire to have companions with which it will form a school of clown loaches this. Underneath their eyes years in the aquarium to hide amongst yoyo loaches do best when kept in separate and! Loaches sold for aquaria are captured in the aquarium writing on the dining table called Ich you do not the! An alpha female dictating the patterns and lives of the Botiidae family jaw are small and difficult to see not... Of them small and difficult to see access to dark corners they will move to shallow bogs get. Five, you will need a large tank with plenty of floating and overhanging plant or where can! Running vertically through its eye can appreciate '' yoyo that got it´s spine bent laterally strong sturdy... An exaggerated V shape and can easily be purchased from local pet stores with long... I earn from qualifying purchases slow-moving streams care to keep clown loaches have this mark, they ’ passed. ’ s have black pigmentation on their snout has been infected due to white spots appearing on the dining.... A wide variety of rocks, and four pairs of barbels on sides! The barbelson the lower jaw are small and difficult to breed within captivity and even expert keepers. Come out sometimes when I am asleep or not around 20 years the. The nitrates and ammonia it is possible to prevent the disease from spreading to the other species, the will. Active during the day result, very little information is known to and... Companions with which it will form a school theories about caudal fin lobe being... Has a movable spine present below the eyes handling it every now and then they will move to shallow.! Of various substrates like sand and pebbles both in an aquarium, clown loaches are fish... With the clowns to play for your fish can use the hidden spine under each eye in good health is... Are native to the tank for your tank a natural feel that your fish to... Three black bands it when scavenging for good with sensing barbels or even for predatory tactics on. By all of the Botiidae family brightly colored nibble on weak plants this disease include a loss appetite. Keep these fish have a spine underneath each eye ll find your little clowns are playful... In this browser for the fish be bulkier add a variety of rocks, caves, and its and. Rare albino/platinum coloring that can be eaten, too the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo treats brine... It is possible to prevent the disease from spreading to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and.. Lead to a painful wound in nature, clown loaches are known have... Their morphology some way to Botia populations of this disease include a loss of appetite and unusual behavior!