Tankwise

A striking, sociable loach — but it reaches 30 cm and needs a very large tank, so plan ahead.

  • Temperature24–30 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank300 L
  • DifficultyIntermediate
FoodSinking foods + frozen bloodworm
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25–30% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The clown loach is a striking, sociable loach that lives for many years and grows to a substantial size. It is peaceful in a group, likes caves and cover, and is famous for sleeping on its side — alarming to new keepers but entirely normal. It will also hunt pest snails and dig in the substrate.

What to feed, and how often

Sinking foods and frozen bloodworm, prawn and snail-based or vegetable foods; feed once or twice a day. It is an enthusiastic eater and needs its share at the bottom, away from faster fish.

Water changes and maintenance

Change 25–30% weekly. As a large, long-lived and messy fish, it needs a very big tank, strong filtration and clean water to thrive.

Care and how easy it is

Only for large tanks — it reaches around 30 cm and can live 10 years or more; keep a group and provide caves.

Common health problems

Its tiny scales make it prone to ich, and it often arrives with 'skinny disease' from internal parasites.

If it gets sick

Quarantine and deworm new loaches, and treat ich with warmth and medication, watching the group closely.

Good tank mates

CorydorasBeginner
CorydorasCorydoras paleatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 6–7.8
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Bristlenose plecoBeginner
Bristlenose plecoAncistrus cirrhosus
  • 23–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 80 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Herbivore
OtocinclusIntermediate
OtocinclusOtocinclus vittatus
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 50 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Herbivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Yoyo loachIntermediate
Yoyo loachBotia almorhae
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–8
  • 120 L+
Loaches · Semi-aggressive · Carnivore
Zebra loachIntermediate
Zebra loachBotia striata
  • 23–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 90 L+
Loaches · Peaceful · Carnivore
Dwarf chain loachIntermediate
Dwarf chain loachAmbastaia sidthimunki
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Loaches · Peaceful · Carnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersClown loachYoyo loachZebra loachDwarf chain loach
Parameters
Temp24–30 °C24–28 °C23–27 °C24–28 °C
pH6–7.56–86–7.56–7.5
GH2–12 °dGH5–15 °dGH4–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH
Min. tank300 L120 L90 L60 L
Size30 cm15 cm8 cm5 cm
DietOmnivoreCarnivoreCarnivoreCarnivore
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressivePeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyIntermediateIntermediateIntermediateIntermediate

Care guides

GuideHow to Vacuum Aquarium Gravel (the Right Way)Cleaning the substrate removes hidden waste, but done too hard it disturbs plants and bacteria. Learn the right balance, step by step, for gravel and sand.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideFishless Cycling: The Kindest Way to Start a TankFishless cycling builds the filter's bacteria before any fish goes in, so your first fish never lives through toxic water. Here is how to do it.GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.