Bótia palhaço
(Botia macracantha)

Descrição

Clown Loach (Bótia Palhaço): Vibrant Charms for Your Aquarium

Add a splash of dynamic color and engaging personality to your freshwater display with the beloved Clown Loach. These social, intelligent fish will quickly become the stars of your tank.

Overview

The Clown Loach, with its striking orange body adorned by three bold black vertical bands and vibrant red fins, is a true aquatic jewel. Known for their playful antics, such as swimming upside down or “playing dead,” these highly social fish thrive in groups. They possess small, bifurcated spines under their eyes, used for defense. Their active, curious nature makes them a captivating addition to any suitably sized aquarium, offering endless entertainment as they explore their environment.

Care Level

Clown Loaches are considered a medium care level species, not ideal for absolute beginners due to their specific needs, including a susceptibility to ich if water quality is not pristine. They are peaceful community fish, but must be kept in groups of at least five or six to thrive and exhibit their natural behaviors. Avoid overly aggressive tank mates or very small invertebrates, as they are known snail-eaters.

Tank Essentials

A mature group of Clown Loaches requires a substantial aquarium, with a minimum of 200 liters (approximately 55 US gallons) for juveniles, scaling up significantly for adults which can reach 30 cm. A tank length of at least 150 cm is recommended for adult groups. Provide a soft, sandy substrate for digging and ample hiding spots using driftwood, rocks, and caves. Maintain robust filtration for clean, well-oxygenated water and moderate to strong current. Ideal water parameters are a pH range of 6.0-7.5 and temperatures between 25-30°C.

Diet

As omnivores, Clown Loaches enjoy a varied diet of high-quality sinking pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and snails. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, or peas to ensure balanced nutrition for these healthy aquarium fish.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Clown Loach online from Corais de Vidro, you’re choosing healthy, responsibly sourced aquatic life. We prioritize the well-being of our fish with careful quarantine and expert packaging, ensuring your new companions arrive vibrant and ready to thrive in your aquatic ecosystem. Trust us for quality and dedicated support for your fishkeeping journey.

• Scientific Name: *Chromobotia macracanthus*
• Common Name / Variant: Bótia Palhaço / Clown Loach
• Maximum Size: 30 cm
• Origin: Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo)
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5
• Temperature: 25–30°C
• Lifespan: 10–20 years
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Bring the lively spirit of the Clown Loach to your home aquarium today!