Clown Loach
A playful, social bottom-dweller that grows large and lives a long time. Best for spacious, established aquariums with a group of loaches.
tankSize
300L (75 gal) minimum for a group
careLevel
Intermediate
temperature
25 to 29C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Sinking pellets, frozen foods, and snail-based treats
lifespan
10 to 20 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (social group)
weeklyMaintenance
Large water changes and thorough filter maintenance
Best for
- Owners with large, established aquariums
- People who enjoy active bottom-dwellers
- Community tanks with peaceful larger fish
- Long-term keepers who plan for adult size
Not ideal for
- Small tanks or short-term setups
- Brand-new aquariums
- Owners who cannot commit to large maintenance routines
- Tanks with aggressive cichlids
Temperament
- Peaceful and social
- Most confident in groups of 5 or more
- Active and playful, especially at feeding time
Daily routine
feeding: Feed sinking foods in the evening; vary diet for health.
check: Observe for normal activity and breathing.
enrichment: Provide caves, smooth wood, and shaded areas.
Living fit
smallHome: Not ideal due to large tank requirement.
kids: Great to watch, but setup and cost are higher.
firstTimeOwner: Better after experience with tank cycling and maintenance.
Health notes
- Sensitive to poor water quality and abrupt changes.
- Prone to ich if stressed; quarantine new fish.
- Ensure oxygenation and stable warm temperatures.
Cost and time
time: Moderate weekly time due to large tank maintenance.
cost: High setup cost because of tank size and equipment.
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