| Common Name | Clown Loach
|
| Species/genus | Botia macracantha
|
| Keeping | Clowns like company and will school
if you have more than 4 or 6. Their goofy actions and their bright coloration gave
them their name. Clown fish will eat snails and are capable of clearing a heavily
infested tank in a few days. Some times they will lie on their sides and backs
pretending to be dead alarming the owners. Their goofy actions are a good
entertainment and they also make clicking sounds. They are normally peaceful
towards other fish. If they are kept as single then they can get stressed and
can trouble other fishes. Also they should not be kept with very docile fishes,
which can get stressed by their constant activities even though they do not
attack them. They have blade like eye spines and sometime can get entangled
in the net or can hurt the aquarist hand if not careful. They can live for
up to 20 years. They like plenty of room to swim and need large aquariums. They
can grow really big. In aquariums they seldom grow more than 7 or 8 inches. They
have no scales like other fish and are sensitive to medication to the tank.
So be careful about any medications. They prefer a soft substrate and can take
any food. Supplement diet with live food.
|
| Breeding | Captive breeding is very rare in
home aquaria and not many details are available. However they have been
reported as bred in fish farms in Singapore and Fareast countries for mass
export. Details are not available.
|
| Origin | Temp | Water | Temper
| Size | Tank | Food | Breeding
|
| Sumatra and Borneo | 75-85 °F | Neutral to soft
| Peaceful | 5-8 inch | 50~100 Gallon
| All, Worms | Egg Layer, Difficult
|
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