Clown Loach Chromobotia macracanthus (prev. Botia)

The Clown Loach is named after the orange, white and black traditional makeup of clowns. It is also called the Tiger Botia and is native to clear streams and seasonal floodplains of Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo).

It grows to over 20cm long. There are small barbels on the mouth, a retractable spine below each eye and the fish often rests head downwards (or vertically upwards). It can communicate by making a sound by grinding its teeth.

There is some variation in appearance between the Sumatran and the Borneo clowns, such as the extent of black or red on the pelvic fins. Morever, the intensity of black and orange colour can pale and a white border between the black and the orange body bands can develop when the fish is under stress.

They are fast-swimming, schooling species. They eat mainly snails and crustaceans.