Clown loaches or tiger botia are well-known hobby fish with very funny behaviors. They are exceptionally inquisitive fish that thrive in bunches. Clown loaches thrive in aquariums with a high rate of water flow and oxygenated water. A tank with dim illumination that replicates their native habitat will encourage clown loaches to venture out into the open. In other words, select live aquatic plants that can withstand low-light circumstances if you want them in your aquarium. Clown loaches have a habit of nibbling on plants, so choose hardy species. Clown loaches prefer a sandy substrate for scavenging, as well as enough structure in the tank to give hiding spots.
Male clown loaches are considerably larger than females, and males have a slightly inward-curving tail, whereas females have a straight tail. Clown loaches are indigenous to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. While clear stream habitats are ideal for clown loaches, biennial monsoon flooding compels the fish to relocate to flooded flood plains, murky or blackwater rivers or lakes, for 7–8 months of the year, and clown loaches are frequently found in steep flood plains. Every year, breeding adults relocate to smaller streams to spawn.
As with all loaches, the clown loach has a long, pointed nose encircled by delicate barbels that resemble whiskers and a sharp spine beneath each eye. These spines serve as a defensive mechanism; in captivity, they can prick fingers or snag on nets, so it's critical to exercise caution when handling your loach.
The arched body of the clown loach is long and slim, making it perfect for cutting through the water. Its body is bright orange to yellow, while its fins and tail are crimson red, as its name suggests. A third black stripe runs vertically through its eye and two wide black V-shaped stripes run along the sides of its body. Every year, breeding adults relocate to smaller streams to spawn.
Clown Loach Size
The maximum size of the clown loach is unknown. However, some observations indicate that their maximum size can reach up to 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) with an average adult size ranging from 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in). The body of the fish is long and thin, having a flat ventral surface and an arched dorsal surface.
Clown Loach Behavior
Clown loaches are loving and calm fish that can be seen foraging in the substrate in close quarters. They do well in big community tanks with at least 5 individuals in a shoal. If you maintain fewer than five, you'll find that they're frightened and bashful and that they spend much of their time hiding.Â
Clown Loach Breeding
In captivity, clown loaches breed infrequently or never. If a female does spawn in an aquarium, there is a high probability that the eggs will not be fertilised and that she or her male counterparts will consume the eggs prior to hatching. Almost all clown loaches marketed for aquariums are caught in the wild.
Clown Loach Lifespan
Clown Loaches typically live for at least ten years in captivity. Numerous variables can impact the life expectancy of this fish. According to some sources, this species can live for up to 25 years in perfect natural conditions! However, this is quite uncommon in captivity.
Clown Loach Tank Mates
They can be found in the same waterways as Tiger Barbs, Hard-lipped Barbs, Spotted Eel-Loaches, Barred Rainbowfish, Comb-Spined Catfish, and even Asian Arowana.
These fish get along well with nearly every communal fish in the aquarium, including Cherry Barbs, Tiger Barbs, Neon Tetra, and Black Widow Tetra.
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