Freshwater

Figure 8-7:
Clown
loaches will
eat just
about
anything.
Chapter 8: Finding Your Species
Clown loach (Botia macracantha)
The Indonesian clown loach (Figure 8-7) is scaleless (do not add any medications
that do not state on the package that they are safe for scaleless fish!),
striped like a tiger, and spends most of its time peacefully foraging for food
near the bottom of the tank. The clown loach is carnivorous and is best kept
in a small school of three to five. Loaches often lay on their sides or backs
when resting, so remember that this is normal.
Excellent tankmates include danios, livebearers, small gouramis, corys, and
rainbowfish. Try to avoid very slow-moving, mellow tankmates, because the
high activity and darting of the loaches can stress out their aquatic companions.
This species has been known to live as long as 20 years in the home
aquarium (keep this in mind, as older fish can reach lengths of greater than
one foot.)
The clown loach tank should be dimly lit and provided with good water current,
fine gravel or sand for substrate, and rock caves to match the streams of
their natural habitat. They can thrive in waters ranging from 72–85 degrees F.
This species will eat almost anything and really enjoys sinking tablet foods,
worms, brine shrimp, and tubifex worms as a treat.
Orange-finned loach (Botia modesta)
The orange-finned loach has a blue-gray body with bright orange fins. Like
other loach species, it has small spines on its eyes. This species hides during
the day and is very shy. The orange-finned loach swims in the lower levels of
the tank, is carnivorous, and makes clicking noises to attract mates.
The water conditions, tank setup, and nutrition for this species are similar to
that required for clown loaches.
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