Clown Loaches – 3 Pack or 6 Pack

Clown Loaches are colorful, social freshwater fish known for their bright orange bodies, bold black bands, red-orange fins, and playful personalities. These active members of the loach family are often seen exploring together, resting in unusual positions, and making soft clicking sounds while feeding or interacting.

Although commonly sold as small-to-medium juveniles, Clown Loaches can eventually reach approximately 12 inches and live for many years. They require a large long-term aquarium and should not be purchased solely as temporary snail control.

Available Options

3 Pack
Includes three small-to-medium Clown Loaches. This option is intended for customers adding fish to an established group.

6 Pack
Includes six small-to-medium Clown Loaches and is the recommended option when starting a new group.

Social Requirements

Clown Loaches are highly social and should be maintained in groups of at least five or six. Keeping them alone or in undersized groups can cause stress, hiding, and reduced natural behavior.

Customers beginning a new Clown Loach group should select the 6-pack. The 3-pack should only be purchased when expanding an existing group.

Fish Care

Scientific Name: Chromobotia macracanthus
Common Name: Clown Loach
Family: Botiidae
Origin: Southeast Asia
Care Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful and Social
Approximate Adult Size: Up to 12 Inches
Minimum Juvenile Aquarium Size: 75 Gallons
Recommended Adult Aquarium Size: 180 Gallons or Larger
Minimum Group Size: Five to Six
Water Temperature: 75–86°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water Hardness: Soft to Moderately Hard
Diet: Omnivore
Aquarium Level: Bottom to Middle
Freshwater Only: Yes

Aquarium Requirements

Clown Loaches require a fully cycled aquarium with stable water conditions, strong filtration, good oxygenation, and ample swimming space. A large long-term aquarium should be planned before purchasing because these fish can grow substantially larger than their juvenile shipping size.

Provide smooth driftwood, caves, rounded rocks, plants, and other shaded hiding places large enough for the entire group. Clown Loaches often squeeze into narrow spaces, so decorations should be inspected for sharp edges or openings where a fish could become trapped.

A smooth sand or fine rounded substrate is recommended to protect their sensitive barbels while they search for food. A tightly fitting lid is also advisable.

Feeding

Clown Loaches are omnivores and should receive a varied diet of quality sinking pellets, wafers, frozen foods, insect-based foods, shrimp, worms, and vegetable matter.

They may eat pest snails, but snails should not be their only source of nutrition. Offer a balanced diet and place food in multiple areas so every member of the group has an opportunity to eat.

Feed controlled portions and remove uneaten food to maintain good water quality.

Tank Mates

Clown Loaches are generally peaceful and can be maintained with many appropriately sized freshwater community fish, including:

• Other Clown Loaches

• Larger barbs

• Rainbowfish

• Peaceful cichlids

• Larger tetras

• Gouramis

• Peaceful catfish

• Compatible plecos

Avoid very small fish that could be intimidated, highly aggressive species, and tank mates that cannot tolerate the warm water preferred by Clown Loaches.

Compatibility is never guaranteed. Monitor all fish carefully and provide sufficient space, hiding places, and feeding opportunities.

Health and Medication Considerations

Clown Loaches have small, delicate scales and may be sensitive to certain aquarium medications. Carefully confirm that any treatment is appropriate for loaches and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

They can also be susceptible to external parasites when stressed. Stable water parameters, proper nutrition, and a suitable social group are important for maintaining long-term health.

Acclimation

Keep the aquarium lights dim or turned off during acclimation. Gradually acclimate the fish to the aquarium’s temperature and water conditions, and never add shipping water to the main aquarium.

Introduce the group together whenever possible. Provide a quiet environment and allow the fish time to locate hiding places before offering food.

Fish Quarantine

These fish will ship within a 14-day quarantine window, depending on their current stage of quarantine.

Please allow additional processing time before shipment. Tracking information will be provided once the fish have completed preparation and have been transferred to the carrier.

Live-Fish Shipping

Live fish ship by FedEx Priority Overnight for a flat $39.99 livestock shipping charge. Orders containing $300 or more in qualifying live animals receive free live-animal shipping.

Live-animal orders ship Monday through Wednesday to reduce the risk of weekend carrier delays.

Live Arrival and DOA Guarantee

Your fish are protected by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Please inspect all livestock immediately upon delivery.

Any dead-on-arrival claim must be submitted within 12 hours of the carrier-recorded delivery time. Clear photographs showing the affected animal outside of the shipping water must be included with the claim. Please do not discard the animal or its packaging until the claim has been reviewed.

Claims submitted after the 12-hour reporting window or without the required photographs may not qualify for coverage. Please review our complete Live Arrival Guarantee before ordering.

Why Shop With Infinity & Beyond Aquatics?

• Carefully coordinated livestock orders

• Protective insulated packaging appropriate for current weather conditions

• Priority Overnight live-animal shipping

• Live Arrival and DOA protection

• Support with acclimation, compatibility, feeding, and ongoing care

• Personal service from experienced aquarium keepers

Important Livestock Notice

The product photographs are representative of the fish you will receive. Natural size, coloration, pattern, and appearance may vary between individual fish.

Clown Loaches can eventually reach approximately 12 inches and require a large aquarium as adults. Please confirm that you can provide an appropriately sized long-term home before ordering.

These are freshwater fish and must never be placed in a saltwater aquarium.