Ideal water conditions and regular care should help the fish to survive in your tank for quite some time. They might not look too big during this stage of life, but they can grow at a good pace. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You can even feed them on earthworms, as long as you harvest the worms from soil that hasn't been fertilized recently. Tiger Barbs like to spend their time in a school, similar to the preferred behavior of Clown Loaches. (Though the striata + Endler mix worked). It was also mentioned that these fish need fairly large fish tanks. They have little razorblade whiskers that can hurt - and are also VERY fast. Clown Loaches do not pair well with Cichlids.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fishlaboratory_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishlaboratory_com-leader-2-0'); Clown Loaches and Betta Fish make for great tank mates. The clown loach's arched body is long and lean, ideal for cutting through the water. The body is whitish-orange to reddish-orange, with three thick, black, triangular, vertical bands. Ive heard that adult clown loaches are antagonistic, especially to their own kind. Theyre among the liveliest loaches that youll find, and theyll make a fine addition to your freshwater tank. If you plan on keeping a mixed tank with other types of loaches such as Clown Loach, Tiger Shovelnose Catfish, and Glowlight Rasbora, then the 55-gallon tank can work for that type of setup. Make sure you have enough room for a monster tank because it can be very . Clown Loaches are fish that prefer to live together in a group so that they can school together. CichlidAddict. Water Conditions: pH 5.0-7.5 and Soft to Medium. Its not unheard of for these fish to light up and glow with various colors. Make your decision about whether clown loaches are right for you and let your friends know what you learned today as well. Fortunately for the clown loach, among aquarium enthusiasts, it's a staple in the community tank rather than on the dining table. It is considered difficult but not impossible to breed Clown Loaches in the home aquarium. However, if you have the room, its going to allow you to enjoy fantastic fish. Fish Laboratory is a source of information on aquarium fish, aquarium plants, aquascaping, and more. 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. Adding some form of crustacean may be fun, and providing they are not so small to become a meal, they will definitely be suitable tank mates. Most cichlids tend to ignore the bottom dwellers (loaches). Your clown loaches will have a lot of room for exploration and retreat in case violence arises. Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus. You must log in or register to reply here. In nature they eat aquatic worms, small crustaceans and insect larvae. While the fish like clear water, they also thrive in a black water environment. In the wild, Clown Loaches often do reach this much larger size. Often, the best Clown Loach tank mates are other bottom-dwelling fish like the Bumblebee Catfish, Pleco, and Corydoras. They also will consume any snails they find in the tank, sucking them right out of their shells. Some fish might wind up being bigger than others, but theyre bigger than many people realize. Once per week, you could give the clown loaches live food as a special treat. You might be able to help someone you know decide whether clown loaches will be right for them. Diet, tank size, and genetics are all major factors that influence how bit these fish can get. At the store, look carefully at the tank to be sure it is well kept and that the fish seem comfortable and healthy. This is a much wider range than many other types of fish. These fish like to live in small groups of their own kind. Because they become so large, you must be prepared to move them into a larger tank as they grow, eventually providing at least 5 to 10 gallons for each adult. As for the Clown Loaches they can grow to 12 inches and should be kept as a group as mentioned. Clown Loaches will not harass the Betta Fish to the point of harm, but it is possible that they will bother the Betta Fish by nipping at its long fins. It's possible they're hiding from an aggressive tank mate. Clown loaches are shoaling fish. Do remember to keep an eye on things since you want the fish to stay healthy. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Clown loaches like to eat snails, and theyre very adept at getting snails out of their shells. It is almost impossible to breed Clown Loaches in captivity, and most of the fish for sale have been commercially bred using hormones to induce spawning. In fact, it could be worthwhile using a breeding tank during this time. They are bred commercially and at time wild caught from local rivers and ponds. Clown Loaches are not particularly predatory when it comes to other fish, but keep in mind the size of the adult Clown Loach. Read product information carefully before treating any loach. All the fish listed will be good for a community fish tank and there are many others that will mix well with Clowns. Ornaments are great for Clown Loaches as they like being able to explore natural-looking caves and tunnels. rasboras and minnows, but Clowns also do well with other bottom dwellers like loaches and Corydoras species. Manage Settings Its important to have plants that will be able to survive grazing and provide food as well as hiding places. (143) 143 product ratings - SCREWCUMBER GREAT FISH FEEDING WEIGHT FOR PLECS, CLOWN LOACH, MALAWI CICHLID ETC. You want to try to maintain a consistent water temperature. Native to the waters of Indonesia, a clown loach is a tropical freshwater fish that is part of the cobitidae family. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Now it's darker by the pvc caves so I hope that makes them more appealing to the Loaches. And would providing alot of places to hide help this? Ich can also be treated with a salt bath of one teaspoon (five grams) of aquarium salt per five gallons (19 liters) of water for three days in order to kill the parasite and remove it from the fishs body. Although I am no longer doing it professionally, I hope I can help others to enjoy keeping happy, healthy fish by sharing my many years of experience. They can be kept in groups or paired up with other fish, but they should not be housed with aggressive or territorial fish. It's all sorted out now and my remaining two clown loaches are doing well. Please assume that all links on this website are affiliate links. Will I see more of them as they get bigger? Description. Since most loaches are nocturnal, this would be a reasonable assumption to make. AquariaCentral.com, a division of Monster Aquaria Network, LLC. . They are not only named for their interesting markings, but they are named for their active and silly behaviors in the home aquarium. Ich is a disease where fish will develop white spots all over their body. Clown loaches can make clicking sounds when they are happy, being territorial (used as a type of weapon/warning) or mating. Feeding clown loaches will be another important part of keeping them healthy. And always remember that these little guys like to hug plants too so make sure there is enough room between theirs and other inhabitants or else all your plants will get eaten! Although not poisonous, it can poke the spine out and give you a nasty prick when the Clown Loach feels threatened. The Clown Loach will prefer shady areas that are heavy in plants and other vegetation, which provide them with plenty of food and places to hide from potential predators. They like to play and interact with each other. Filters are necessary because they help you to keep the water very clean. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The Clown Loach is a must-have fish for many freshwater enthusiasts. And the Clown Loach: Guppy ratio is more like 3:1 when . A good filter is recommended to remove any impurities or chemicals from the tank water. SAVE 25% when you spend $60+ online 11/7-11/11, see terms. Why Is My Dwarf Gourami Swimming Up and Down the Glass? If left untreated, ailments will spread and even become deadly for all fish in your aquarium. When they are purchased as juveniles they will be roughly the same size, but Clown Loaches have a relatively slower growth rate when compared to most other fish species. Theres no guarantee that any two specific fish species will get on with each other, but those listed above have all been observed to have a positive relationship with Clown Loaches and should make good tank mates. Many more fish make good Clown Loach tank mates, but this list is a good start! Clown loaches can make clicking sounds when they are happy, being territorial (used as a type of weapon/warning) or mating. Keeping an eye on the water parameters will help to ensure that the clown loaches stay healthy. Answer (1 of 2): Clown loaches are not documented breeding in freshwater aquariums or homes. Some common illnesses that clown loach can suffer from are: Ich is a parasite that causes fish to lose their color and become lethargic. You want to try to keep the fish tank clean to ensure that the fish wont encounter issues with ich or other diseases. The Clown Loach clicking is used when defending territory, for mating, and just simply when they are happy. Firstly, Ich. link to Clown Loaches Size Chart - How Big Do Clown Loach Grow, Clown Loach Water Parameters And Conditions, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Ich or White Spot, with plenty of live plants that have floating leaves, submerged ones, and natural ornaments like roots from trees or rocks. Theyll appreciate having the plants to utilize. Sometimes you might see the fish looking like its dead. Spines above eyes, barbels around mouth. Clown loaches hang out at the bottom of the tank and they pretty much leave other fish alone. A healthy Clown Loach can have between 25-100 fry per brood, and they will be a variety of coloring as the genes are spread out in each generation. These fish will show signs of stress in various ways, such as staying at one end of their tank or not eating, but if theyre showing these signs more often, it could also be because they have a bacterial infection, so you should give them antibiotics too. You need two or more pairs of clown loaches that are at least six inches (15 centimeters) long to have a good chance of successful breeding. Clown Loaches have to be kept at much warmer temperatures than Goldfish, and they just simply can not be housed in the same aquarium. When mature Clown Loaches are nearing their spawning time they will change their diet and only accept live fish as their food source. You want to try to maintain a consistent water temperature. Its also dangerous for things to get hotter or cooler than the fish can tolerate. They do well with a mix of algae wafers, live foods, and freeze-dried treats like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Clown Loaches have bright red fins that resemble clown shoes. Clown loach 11-12" in length live tropical fish. (Though the striata + Endler mix worked). The body is whitish-orange to reddish-orange, with three thick, black, triangular, vertical bands. Dont worry, the clown loach is fine and its actually just resting. In captivity, you can expect to see these fish live for around 8-10 years. Yes, youre going to need to buy a heater, filter, and pump for your fish tank when caring for clown loaches. They are peculiarly fond of live foods and will gorge themselves on bloodworms and brine shrimp. On average, you can expect a clown loach fish to live for 10 years. You may run into trouble with the red tail shark and the clown loaches. Clown Loaches mature at around 2 to 4 years of age, and around 7 inches in length. They are described as true omnivores that will eat almost anything if the opportunity presents itself. The natural environment of the Clown Loach is densely planted, so it is safe to assume that they would enjoy much of the same in captivity. In the unfortunate event that an infection does occur, keep in mind that loaches, like catfish, are very sensitive to some medications. Clown Loaches are found wild in the island waters of Indonesia, Borneo, and Sumatra. But IMO, its never fun to watch a fish come out of its hiding spot only to be harassed back into hiding again. If they are cared for properly, they can live up to 10 years in the home aquarium. Sometimes if your clown fish population is one-on-one, they tend to fight each other more often. If youre looking for fish that are lively during the daytime, then clown loaches will fit the bill. Clown loaches will enjoy freeze-dried brine shrimp and other such foods. I was going to get one for my tank. $4.81 shipping. Most notably, clown loaches are susceptible to ich. Clown loaches actually have a reputation for living for a long time. Tank lighting should be subdued, and the substrate should be soft and sandy. The best tank mates for Clown Loaches are other Clown Loaches. The Best (And Worst) Clown Loach Tank Mates. Clown Loaches do not have scales, and this makes them more susceptible to contracting Ich. As a freshwater fish, you will want to mimic their natural environment of rivers or lakes as much as possible. They also have a black stripe that cuts down over their eyes. Owners of both Clown Loaches and Oscar fish report the two species being able to coincide peacefully as long as they are raised together from juveniles. A six-foot tank would be appropriate for adult Clown loaches. Unlike some other fish, there arent other types of clown loaches out there to consider. Clown Loaches are omnivores that eat a variety of fruit and vegetables like banana, melon, cucumber, or lettuce. Clown Loaches need warm water, at least 75-85F. Of course, clown loaches wont be compatible tank mates with every type of fish that you can think of. 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. It was closer to the right when I had this cave on the left side that I since flipped over as the pleco and clown Loaches were constantly battling over (not fighting like cichlids but pleco would keep trying to go in and would push the Loaches out. Clown Loaches do not do well with most medications that are used to treat Ich, and it can often become fatal for the affected fish. The clown loach is indigenous to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Can you have 2 kuhli loaches? It is important for the success in keeping multiple species together that you provide them with the adequate amount of room. The clown loach can be found in freshwater bodies around Sumatra and Borneo where it can be found mainly inland. Mainly found in the central and western parts of South East Asia on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, you will usually find the Clown Loach fish in amongst the rocky streams or rivers with moderate to low currents, and a muddy substrate, where they like to lurk among the rocks and crevices. Keeping a well-planted tank will also help the Clown Loach because they prefer a dark and shaded environment to help them escape natural predators. Virtually all non-aggressive fish are suitable as tankmates. there are no holes in there fins just a withering of there overall condition and fullness. As non-aggressive fish, Clowns are often thought of as good community tank fish, with many potential tank mates they are compatible with. If they arent territorial id like to get 2 of them, is this ok? Their ideal tank mates should be equally hardy. Keeping an eye on water parameters and cleanliness in your fish tank will go a long way to keeping your fish healthy and happy while living in your aquarium. Scientific Name: Chromobotia macracantha. The best tank setup for a Clown Loach is a tank that has plenty of live plants and natural ornaments. Clown Loaches in the wild will eat invertebrates, insects, decaying plant matter, and algae. Clown Loaches love the company of other fish as they are generally very social fish. It might be better to go with a 100-gallon fish tank, though. Youll be able to match clown loaches up with many different types of fish instead of having to find tank mates that fit into a small range of water parameters that line up. Clown loaches will eat algae as part of their plant-based diet but will not at enough to keep an algae bloom under control. Videos. If youre working with limited space, then you might wish to care for other fish. Youll find these fish in rivers, but they go to flooded areas of the rainforest during spawning season. Clown Loaches have also been observed to change color when they are in mating mode! Looking carefully at the fish should allow you to see that its gills are moving. B bigdaddy67 Registered Joined Sep 4, 2009 24 Posts The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You should be feeding the clown loaches once or twice per day. Unlike true nocturnal loaches, the Clown Loach is active during the day but will shy from bright light and hide amongst plant stocks or in rockwork. It is best to purchase a group of juvenile Clown Loaches, and let them mature together. Are clown plecos messy? Will he fight with my cory cats? Clown Loaches are kept in aquariums of size 20G / 100 L or even bigger. Since clown loaches are considered to be fairly hardy fish, theyre able to survive quite a range of different water temperature settings.