Characteristics , Origin , and Helpful Information for Hobbyists
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If you ’ve ever see a school of clown loaches , it ’s hard to resist bringing a few of them home . It ’s even unvoiced to imagine that this beautiful fish is eaten as food fish in Indonesia and Borneo , where it arise to over a animal foot in distance . luckily for the clown loach , among aquarium enthusiasts , it ’s a basic in the community tank rather than on the dining mesa . Its orange and black stripy body , red fins , and alive behavior have made it one of the most popular loach species for fishkeepers .
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What is a clown loach?
aboriginal to the amniotic fluid of Indonesia , a buffoon loach is a tropic freshwater fish that is part of the Cobitidae family . Named for their vibrant colorslike on a carnival clown , they feature an orangish and black stripy body and red fins .
The clownloachis apeaceful fishand coexists well with nearly any tankmate . It is also an laughable mintage to watch feed , as it is very active during the daytime . Clown loach will even consume any annoying escargot that nose up in your aquarium . The clown loach is sometimes called a scaleless Pisces , but it actually does have modest scale embedded in its cutis .
Species Overview
Common Name : goof loach
Scientific Name : Botia macracantha
grownup Size:12 inches
life story Expectancy:10 to 25 years
Characteristics
Origin and Distribution
The merry andrew loach hails from the rivers and tributaries of Malaysia , Borneo , Sumatra , and Kalimantan . During spawn periods , they migrate to flooded expanse of the rainforest where subdued , tea leaf - colored water hang through boggy , slow - moving streams . This loach favor waterways that are shaded by leafy plants and lined with industrial plant detritus , such as fall leaves , twigs , and branches .
Colors and Markings
Like all loaches , the clown loach has a long , pointed nose fence in by tender whisker - like barbels and a sharp spine beneath each eye . These spines are used for defense ; in enslavement , these may prick fingers or snag on nets , so it ’s important to be deliberate when handling your loach .
The clown loach ’s arcuate body is longsighted and thin , ideal for trend through the water . True to its name , its body is bright orangish to yellow , and its tailfin and tail are promising reddened . It has two spacious , black V - shaped bands on the side of its body and a third black band running vertically through its eye .
Tankmates
passive with its own and other species , the clown loach prefers to have associate with which it will constitute a school . Virtually all non - fast-growing fish are worthy as tankmates . Because they favor to survive in groups , it ’s wise to keep four or more in a tank . They do n’t wish burnished light source , will veil among plant or rocks as well , and sleep in holes , caves , and other concealment places .
Clown Loach Habitat and Care
Clown loaches are large school Pisces the Fishes , and they are quite active . You will need a large tank with heap of distance for your loaches to move around . At the same time , however , each and every loach should have several concealing spots useable ; loaches love enclosed spaces and will sometimes " hide " in cave , tubes , and other hidey - holes . hide places can be made of Sir Henry Joseph Wood or rock candy ; stiff , sturdy plants are also a full addition .
Unlike many loach metal money that are only active at nighttime , the clown loach can be active during the daytime 60 minutes — though it ’s potential to be most full of life in the early daybreak and after dark . To watch your loach at drama during awake hours , turn over installing a grim " moonlight " bulb or another frame of bluish lighting , which will encourage your fish to fall out to track down during the day .
Water quality is vital for keeping clown loach healthy . Take aid to keep the pee very neat , well - aerated , and warm . An effective filtration system and frequent water system changes are vital . Tank kindling should be subdued , and the substratum should be soft and sandlike .
loach are particularly prone to Ich infection ; check them intimately whenever new Pisces or plants are added to the tankful . In the inauspicious effect that an infection does occur , keep in psyche that loaches , like mudcat , are very sensitive to some medications . Often medicationdosages must be cut in half to be good . say merchandise information carefully before treating any loach .
Clown Loach Diet and Feeding
Clown loaches will accept a wide sort of dry and bouncy foods , but their preference is for lively foods , peculiarly worms . you could even feed them on wiggler , as long as you harvest the worms from land that has n’t been fertilized recently . Ideally , you should flow them several pocket-size meals throughout the day .
Gender Differences
Males can be identified by the tail fin , which is larger , forming a more pointed V - shape , and is more brilliantly colored . There are very few documented cases of clown loaches breeding in captivity . As a result , very trivial information is known about their breeding habits and needs .
Breeding the Clown Loach
Clown loach rarely cover in enslavement . If a female does spawn in an aquarium setting , there is an excellent prospect that the eggs will not be fertilized and that she or her manlike similitude will consume the eggs before they hatch .
Virtually all clown loaches sold for aquaria are captivate in the wild . It ’s important when buying clown loach to select only those with bright color and those Pisces the Fishes that are at least a few inches long . At the storage , take care carefully at the tank to be trusted it is well continue and that the fish seem comfortable and tidy . If you see any bushed fish , point clear of that storage tank ; there is a good chance you ’ll be buying a loach that is already infect with Ich parasites .
More Pet Fish Species and Further Research
There are many mintage of loach , and all are worth considering for your freshwater marine museum . If you ’re interested in alike specie , check out :
Check out additional fish speciesprofiles for more info on otherfreshwaterfish .
