{"product_id":"clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus","title":"Clown Loach | Chromobotia macracanthus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Clown Loach is a gorgeous orange-and-black banded charmer — playful, social and famously long-lived. But choose it knowing the truth: it grows large, to around 25–30 cm, must be kept in a group, and can live for decades, so it needs a big tank for the long haul.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia. It inhabits large, warm, fast-flowing rivers and their floodplains, moving into flooded forest to feed and breed. The water is warm, soft to neutral and well-oxygenated, with plenty of wood and cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, arch-backed loach in vivid orange crossed by three bold black bands, with red-orange fins. It also has a sharp, retractable spine beneath each eye — handy to know when netting. Juveniles are sold small, but adults become substantial, deep-bodied fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, curious and highly social — it must be kept in a group of at least five, or it becomes stressed and withdrawn. In numbers it is active and endlessly entertaining, forming a clear pecking order. It mixes well with other robust, peaceful community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous bottom feeder with a famous appetite for snails. Offer sinking pellets and wafers, frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and some vegetable matter. A varied diet keeps this active fish healthy and growing steadily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for the adult, not the juvenile: a group needs a large, well-filtered tank of at least 280 litres, and ideally 500 litres or more long-term. Provide warm, stable, well-oxygenated water, caves and wood for shelter, and a soft substrate. Loaches are sensitive to poor water quality and to some medications, so dose carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery rarely bred in home aquaria — commercial stock is farmed with hormonal assistance. They grow slowly and mature late, and their eventual size makes deliberate breeding impractical for most hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChromobotia macracanthus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClown Loach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBorneo and Sumatra, Indonesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–25+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (social; must be kept in groups)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (bottom feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to medium)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may disturb plants while foraging)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarger barbs, danios and rainbowfish, other robust loaches, gouramis, peaceful larger tetras and sturdy catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall nano fish that may be intimidated, very aggressive cichlids, and slow long-finned fish. Never keep singly or in pairs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232873365795,"sku":"AA1430","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232873398563,"sku":"BA8905","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55304233812259,"sku":"BA9352","price":55.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55353178456355,"sku":"AA1430-XL","price":65.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/clown-loach-chromobotia-macr-43091553550627.webp?v=1790303880","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}