Best for
Aquariums where its role fits: bottom cleaner.
C
Fish · Freshwater
Clown loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Clown loach is a very popular aquarium species suitable for well maintained home aquariums.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Aggression
5/10
Schooling
Yes
Size
30.00 cm
Minimum volume
300 L
Temperature
25.0-30.0 ºC
Zone
Bottom
Lifespan
12 years
Quick profile scan
fish
Territoriality
Medium
Aggression
5/10
Activity
Fast
Thermal sensitivity
Medium
Bioload
High
Speed
Fast
Predation risk
Opportunistic
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Check whether this species fits your aquarium
Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.
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Quick verdict
A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.
Avoid
Mixes marked as high risk or not recommended in manual relationships.
Compatible with
Has positive or conditional references with species such as Angelfish.
Typical risk
Bioload and adult volume should be planned with margin.
Aquarium zone
Where it lives best
Surface
Midwater
Bottom
primary
Quick compatibility
Community signals
Shrimp
Not recommended
Snails
High risk
Slow fish
Compatible
Aggressive fish
Conditional
Small fish
Conditional
Large fish
Conditional
Delicate plants
Conditional
Buying decision
Before buying Clown loach
Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.
L
Adult volume
Make sure your aquarium is above 300 L before buying it.
G
Minimum group
Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.
B
Bioload
Plan filtration, water changes, and total stocking: this species can heavily load the system.
Parameters
Water conditions
pH
6.0 - 7.5
GH
3 - 12
KH
1 - 6
Temperature
25.0 - 30.0 ºC
Growth and behavior
Juvenile to adult
Juvenile
As a juvenile it feels safer in a group and usually uses the bottom with coordinated movement. An insufficient group can increase stress and erratic behavior.
Shift
The most important adult change is increased spatial and biological pressure, so the aquarium should be planned for the long term.
Adult
As an adult it keeps a strong social pattern and is more stable in adequate groups. In balanced communities it usually occupies the bottom without causing major conflict.
Ecological profile
Role and biological pressure
Bottom Cleaner
Bottom Cleaner
Large
High
Moderate
Opportunistic
Profile: bottom-dwelling species, with high bioload and primary use of the bottom. It should be kept in a group to show stable behavior and reduce stress. It may show opportunistic predation toward fry or very small animals.
Ecological radar
profile
Territoriality
52%
Aggression
50%
Activity
78%
Thermal sensitivity
52%
Bioload
78%
Common mistakes
What to avoid
Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.
Keeping too few individuals for a social species.
Relations
Compatible with
✓
Angelfish
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Chromobotia macracanthus + Pterophyllum scalare: size difference, activity level or space pressure may cause stress, competition or insufficient usable room.
Guppy
Conditional
Main risk: Adult space
Review conditions
Chromobotia macracanthus + Poecilia Reticulata: size difference, activity level or space pressure may cause stress, competition or insufficient usable room.
B
Bronze cory
Conditional
Main risk: Adult space
Review conditions
Chromobotia macracanthus + Corydoras aeneus: size difference, activity level or space pressure may cause stress, competition or insufficient usable room.
K
Kuhli loach
Conditional
Main risk: Adult space
Review conditions
Chromobotia macracanthus + Pangio kuhlii: size difference, activity level or space pressure may cause stress, competition or insufficient usable room.
N
Neon tetra
Conditional
Main risk: Predation
Review conditions
Chromobotia macracanthus + Paracheirodon innesi: there is a predation risk due to size difference, mouth capacity or feeding behavior.
Relations
Avoid keeping with
!
C
Cherry shrimp
Not recommended
Main risk: Predation
Not recommended
Chromobotia macracanthus + Neocaridina davidi: there is a predation risk due to size difference, mouth capacity or feeding behavior.
Siamese Fighting Fish
High risk
Main risk: Adult space
High risk
Chromobotia macracanthus + Betta splendens: size difference, activity level or space pressure may cause stress, competition or insufficient usable room.
N
Nerite snail
High risk
Main risk: Predation
High risk
Chromobotia macracanthus + Neritina natalensis: there is a predation risk due to size difference, mouth capacity or feeding behavior.
Essential care
Keep it in a group and perform weekly water changes with stable parameters.
Daily time
18 min
Related biomes
Breeding
Breeding in aquariums is possible when good conditions are provided and a suitable setup is prepared.
Oviparous
Moderate
Machos algo más esbeltos; hembras más robustas
Alerts and health
- Acuario grande
- Grupo
- Refugios
Common issues
Ich
Parásitos
Expert notes
Interesting details
01
Es una especie muy popular en acuariofilia
02
Se aprecia más cuando se mantiene correctamente
Editorial confidence
Last review: June 2026
Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.
Profile data
Ecological profile
Manual relationships
General aquarium observation
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