You can enjoy watching the fish on the day when it is most active. Aquarists love these schooling fish with orange and black striped bodies, red fins, and playful attitudes. Common name: Clown Loach. 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. Its peaceful nature makes it an ideal candidate for a community tank. In some species, such as the spined loach (Cobitis taenia) of Eurasia, there is also a short, movable spine near each eye. A typical loach has very small scales and three to six pairs of whiskerlike barbels around its mouth. These relatives of carp and minnows are true martial arts masters. Price may vary by location. It has two wide black V-shaped stripes along the sides of its body and a third black stripe running vertically through its eye. Hence, you must handle a clown loach with care. 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. The clown loach has a movable spine present below the eyes that can be extended to inflict a painful sting (though non-venomous). 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. You will need a large tank with plenty of space for your loaches to move around. Their upper dorsal line is curved from the base of the tail to their mouth. Its habitats are waters with slow flow or impounded waters, so it can be said that the fish doesn’t like water flows presence. 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. 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. Clown Loach is known for its vibrant colors. Clown Loaches are shy fish and benefit from having live plants and river rocks in the aquarium to hide amongst. You can even feed them on earthworms, as long as you harvest the worms from soil that hasn't been fertilized recently. Tank lighting should be subdued, and the substrate should be soft and sandy. Because they prefer to live in groups, it's wise to keep four or more in a tank. Clown loaches can m… It feeds mainly on insects and water plants can be eaten, too. 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. Ideally, you should feed them several small meals throughout the day. 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. 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. The Chromobotia was first described as Cobitis by Pieter Bleeker in 1852; later, in 1989, it was changed to Botia. Black Kuhli Loaches are extremely peaceful and live best in a community aquarium with fish of the same disposition. Are there any signs to look for to know if your clown loach is sick? Before handling a clown loach, you should be aware of the fact that clown loaches have a movable spine set just beneath their eyes. While the Clown Loaches have this mark, they are instead friendly and playful. They have bodies that are laterally compressed and are known to have a forked tail fin that they use for propelling through the water. Hence, you might want to be careful while handling it every now and then. Backwaters, ponds, lakes are typical habitats for yoyo loach. Special care should be taken at these times. Clown loaches are omnivores, though in the wild they tend to focus their attention on critters like snails, worms, and other small invertebrates. The Sumatran species is known for having orangish-red pectoral fins. 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. 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. It’s believed to be used for defense or even for predatory tactics. Hence, you might want to be careful while handling it every now and then. The clown loach hails from the rivers and tributaries of Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Clown loaches rarely or never breed in captivity. 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. lazy clown loach, spine out. Part of why Clown Loaches have become popular is because of their interesting look. Yoyo loaches do best when kept in peaceful communities with similar sized or smaller tank mates that have overlapping care requirements. They like to live in places where there is plenty of floating and overhanging plant or where riverbanks can overhang. Clown Loach Choked To Death 10/31/19 Hi, I have a, hopefully, simple question. The barbelson the lower jaw are small and difficult to see. The spine can pierce another fish but is not venomous. These spines can be extended as needed for self dense. Water quality is critical for keeping clown loaches healthy. 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. 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. Clown Loaches are shy fish and benefit from having live plants and river rocks in the aquarium to hide amongst. It is also an amusing species to watch and feed as it is very active during the day. If you've ever seen a school of clown loaches, it's hard to resist bringing a few of them home. To keep these fish in a tank, they need similar protection. Water should be at pH 6.2–7.0, temperature at 25-30°C/77-86°F. The word "macracanthus" stands for "big spine", and as this name suggests they have a pre orbital spine that is quite large. He’s passionate about helping more people find joy in fishkeeping and teaching them how to become expert pet parents at VIVOFISH. After building the base, the next step is to add in live plants. 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. The plants will give oxygen and give a type of filtration that is necessary for keeping your fish healthy. The ideal water for Clown Loaches needs to be a temperature ranging from 77-86°F and a pH of 6-8. True to its name, its body is bright orangey-yellow, and its fins and tail are bright red. This loach prefers waterways that are shaded by leafy plants and lined with plant detritus such as fallen leaves, twigs, and branches. The stripes run vertically and take on a triangle shape. Read product information carefully before treating any loach. The flood plains are teeming with plant life both over and under weather. Loaches display a wide variety of morphologies, making the group difficult to characterize as a whole using external traits. Ask the expert. During spawning periods, they migrate to flooded areas of the rainforest where soft, tea-colored water flows through boggy, slow-moving streams. Take a look at this video: That´s one of my 4" YoYo that got it´s spine bent laterally. Over the course of time, the female will grow larger. Its orange and black striped body, red fins, and active behavior have made it one of the most popular loach species for fishkeepers. 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! They are a fish species that loves the dark, so any overly bright lights will mess up their natural cycles. Q. Hiding places can be made of wood or rock; strong, sturdy plants are also a good addition. The next step should be to place both in an aquarium with high water quality and a lot of plants. 5 Loaches’ Eye Knives. 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. Males can be identified by the tail, which is larger, forming a more pointed V-shape, and is more brightly colored. Your Clown loach looks great to me. An efficient filtration system and frequent water changes are critical. Besides protein, this species needs to have plant matter in their regular diet. They thrive best in tanks with moving water. 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. Your email address will not be published. It is known for having an orange color with three black bars on its body. In gener Their dorsal line of the fish is curved while the bottom is flat. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You should be careful when handling a clown loach because they have a spine under each eye. Virtually all non-aggressive fish are suitable as tankmates. These plants will act as a place for the fish to hide and provide shade. The rivers they prefer are made up of rocky pebble and the flood plains have muddle substrate with a lot of plant growth. This fish benefits greatly from being fed live or frozen blackworms. Virtually all clown loaches sold for aquaria are captured in the wild. They’ll love you forever for it! 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. Top. You can tell that a fish has been infected due to white spots appearing on the body and gills of the fish. Clown loaches are large schooling fish, and they are quite active. In fact, you may want to consider setting up a separate small tank to raise snails in for using for live food for your clown loaches. My 450L Loaches tank 31 clown, 5 morleti, 2 sidthimunki. He’s had fish for as long as he can remember, and grew up taking more and more responsibility for his parent’s tanks - from nano reef tanks all the way up to their massive 400 gallon beauty. The clown loach has a movable spine present below the eyes that can be extended to inflict a painful sting (though non-venomous). Not only will the right plants give shade and a place to play for your fish, but they serve other functions. Required fields are marked *. 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. Diet of Clown Loach. While these spines are not venomous, they are sharp enough to cut if touched. Sexual dimorphism: Mature fish deepen considerably and females tend to be bulkier. 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. A mixture of low or no-grain pellets, vegetables, and protein foods, Two times per day, based on your schedule, Other small crustaceans – once a week or less. Another key to your tank is making sure to have subdued lighting. They are native to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. 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. The fish's body is long and laterally compressed, with an arched dorsal surface and a flat ventral surface. Clown loaches are tropical freshwater fish, belonging to the botiid loach family. 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. True to its name, its body is bright orange to yellow, and its fins and tail are bright red. 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. Clown loaches are notoriously difficult to breed within captivity and even expert fish keepers can find it hard. As a result, very little information is known about their breeding habits and needs. Your Clown loach looks great to me. rich Posts: 837 Originally found in Indonesia, their unique appearance is what drew the attention to them. While not venomous, any fish owner that gets an injury from this spine will remember it for a very long time. 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. I am wondering what are some good types of fish that would fit best with the clowns. The first step is to acquire sufficiently old enough fish that are about six inches long. 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 shy fish and benefit from having live plants and river rocks in the aquarium to hide amongst. It has several pairs of barbels around its lips that help it when scavenging for good. There are many species of loach, and all are worth considering for your freshwater tank. With fewer than five, you’ll find your little clowns are less playful and keep to themselves more. 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. Males tend to have brighter colors and larger tails with an exaggerated V shape. Clown loaches, extremely popular as aquarium fish, are available in many pet stores. The Clown Loach is an awesome fish and i soon will have a tank over 6 feet long that I can house a few. 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. A Clown Loach will most likely display signs of illness, especially Ich, during and after a move. Clown loaches have scales, despite some rumors! If you are pricked with this, it can deliver an extremely painful wound. Its peaceful nature makes it an ideal candidate for a community tank. Omnivorous by nature, Clown Loaches feed on both plant matters and flesh. 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). My 450L Loaches tank 31 clown, 5 morleti, 2 sidthimunki. There are two naturally occurring genetic populations of this species, the Borneo and Sumatra. These fish have a movable spine, which lies in a groove close to the mouth, below the eyes. In an aquarium, this fish can use the hidden spine under stress. 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). Find Black Kuhli loaches for sale at your local PetSmart store! 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. This is normal for clown loaches, though and just a part of their unique character. Its head is relatively large and its mouth faces downward with thick, fleshy lips, and four pairs of barbels. When looking at filtration systems for your tank, it is okay to use standard equipment. This includes using copper-based medications on your clown loaches. 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. Top. 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. 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 fish can live up to ten years and can easily be purchased from local pet stores. My clown loach does come out sometimes when I am asleep or not around. 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. Clown Loaches have an arched body. 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. 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. Clown loaches are known to uproot and nibble on weak plants. Ich is an ectoparasite that burrows into the gills and skin of fish and causes both fungal and bacterial infections to develop. The clown loach is sometimes called a scaleless fish, but it actually does have small scales embedded in its skin. These fish have a movable spine, which lies in a groove close to the mouth, below the eyes. Whichever plants you choose, it is important to incorporate a variety of them. Take care to keep the water very clean, well-aerated, and warm. Clown Loaches can susceptible to and are easily infected by all of the major freshwater fish diseases. For setting up the best home for your fish, there needs to be an ideal mix of various substrates like sand and pebbles. Clown Loaches are a tropical freshwater fish that is part of the Botiidae family. Loaches are particularly prone to Ich infections; watch them closely whenever new fish or plants are added to the tank. How to Keep Clown Loaches in Aquarium They eat a lot of plant matter as well, but don’t tend to find that as “exciting” as a live snack they can catch. I don´t have a clue what did that but unfortunatelly, he passad away. Peaceful with its own and other species, the clown loach prefers to have companions with which it will form a school. Water should be at pH 6.2–7.0, temperature at 25-30°C/77-86°F. The body arches high at the dorsal fin, but is streamlined and clearly built for fast movement. Clown loaches are a very peaceful and extremely social species of fish. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. It has wide black V … Before dealing with a clown loach, you should know that clown loaches have a movable spine that is located right underneath their eyes. 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. After planting your plants, you can add a variety of rocks, caves, and driftwood to provide additional places for your fish. … 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). You can also feed them algae sheets or wafers. Distribution: Malay peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra . 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. 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). 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. This clown loach was just over a year old and apparently choked to death on one of the ghost shrimp added to the tank several hours before. By including these materials in your aquarium, you will help give your tank a natural feel that your fish can appreciate. 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. They have a spine underneath each eye that becomes erect when they are stressed in some way. This species of fish is known for being sexually dimorphic. These fish like to be in clear rivers and streams with slow-moving water that is located on islands. This version of the species still has its orange background but has white bars instead of black ones. Botia almorhae was first described in 1920. They do well with a mix of algae wafers, live foods, and freeze-dried treats like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Unfortunately, I lost one of my 15 clown loach school this evening. One disease they are especially at risk for is called Ich. Sometimes these fish can act a little odd, so be aware of that. Habits and needs ; later, in 1989, it 's wise to keep fish. Out sometimes when I am not wanting to do guppies or tetras as I have a diet. Dealing with a long, pointed nose complete with sensing barbels the substrate food... 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