Clown Loach

Clown Loach - A Playful, Long-Lived Favourite for Serious Fishkeepers

The Clown Loach is one of the most instantly recognisable freshwater fish in the hobby, sporting bold orange and black banding and a cheeky, playful personality. Young clown loaches are famous for their comical antics, often resting on their sides among decor, a behaviour that can alarm new keepers unfamiliar with it.

This is a genuine long-term commitment: clown loaches grow steadily over many years, reaching 15-20 cm or more and occasionally up to 30 cm in very large, long-established tanks, so a spacious aquarium and a group of its own kind are essential for its wellbeing. Being scaleless, care should be taken with certain medications.

At N8 Aquatics, our fish are carefully raised and conditioned to ensure healthy stock suited to home aquariums.

Species Snapshot

• Size Sold: Juvenile, 4-6 cm
• Adult Size: 15-20 cm+ over time (can reach 30 cm in very large, long-term tanks)
• Tank Size: 200 L minimum, keep in a group of 3 or more — a real long-term, large-tank commitment
• Temperament: Peaceful, sociable, does best in a group of its own kind
• Temperature: 25-30°C
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Difficulty: Moderate

Ideal Habitat and Care

Plan for a genuinely large, long-term aquarium housing a group of at least three, with plenty of caves and driftwood for security as they grow.

• Temperature: 25-30°C
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water Flow: Moderate
• Maintenance: Regular water changes; avoid medications containing copper or similar scaleless-sensitive compounds

Diet

An omnivorous diet also helps this species earn its keep as a natural snail controller.

• Sinking pellets or wafers as a staple
• Frozen bloodworm for protein
• Snails, which it will happily help control

Compatibility

Peaceful and sociable, this species does best alongside other robust, similarly easy-going community fish.

Suitable tankmates include:

• Other peaceful, robust community fish
• Larger barbs and rainbowfish
• Sturdy catfish species

Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.

Why Buy From N8 Aquatics

• Carefully raised aquarium fish
• Healthy, well-conditioned stock
• Strong genetics and vibrant colouration
• Breeder support if you have questions

Pickup Information

N8 Aquatics currently operates as a local pickup-only breeder in Central Queensland.

Orders are collected by appointment after purchase confirmation.

Please ensure you are able to collect your fish before placing an order.

Important

All livestock sold by N8 Aquatics should be introduced to fully cycled aquariums suitable for the species being kept.

Please ensure your aquarium setup and tankmates are appropriate before purchasing.