Aquarium Haven & Brisbane Discus

Clown Loach 5/6cm

The Clown Loach 5/6cm is a vibrant, social bottom‑dweller with bold orange and black stripes and loads of personality. Growing into a large, active schooling fish, the Clown Loach 7/8cm is best suited to big, well‑filtered aquariums with soft sand, hiding spots and a group of its own kind. The Clown Loach 5/6cm bright orange bodies, jet‑black bands and playful behaviour, clown loaches are a real favourite for aquarists who can provide the space they need as adults. At the Clown Loach 5/6cm size, these fish are still juveniles, but they have the potential to grow into impressive, chunky loaches that become the stars of a large community tank. Appearance & Personality of Clown Loach 5/6cm The Clown Loach 5/6cm shows the classic clown loach look: Vibrant orange base colour with three bold black stripes Red or deep orange fins and nose as they mature Long, slightly arched body designed for life along the bottom Sand‑sifting behaviour similar to oversized Corydoras Clown loaches are also known for their quirky habits – the Clown Loach 5/6cm may rest on its side or “play dead”, especially when sleeping or feeling very relaxed, which can surprise new keepers. Adult Size & Tank Requirements While...

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Clown Loach 5/6cm$25.00

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Everything you need to know

The Clown Loach 5/6cm is a vibrant, social bottom‑dweller with bold orange and black stripes and loads of personality. Growing into a large, active schooling fish, the Clown Loach 7/8cm is best suited to big, well‑filtered aquariums with soft sand, hiding spots and a group of its own kind.

The Clown Loach 5/6cm bright orange bodies, jet‑black bands and playful behaviour, clown loaches are a real favourite for aquarists who can provide the space they need as adults.

At the Clown Loach 5/6cm size, these fish are still juveniles, but they have the potential to grow into impressive, chunky loaches that become the stars of a large community tank.

Appearance & Personality of Clown Loach 5/6cm

The Clown Loach 5/6cm shows the classic clown loach look:

Vibrant orange base colour with three bold black stripes
Red or deep orange fins and nose as they mature
Long, slightly arched body designed for life along the bottom
Sand‑sifting behaviour similar to oversized Corydoras

Clown loaches are also known for their quirky habits – the Clown Loach 5/6cm may rest on its side or “play dead”, especially when sleeping or feeling very relaxed, which can surprise new keepers.

Adult Size & Tank Requirements

While the Clown Loach 5/6cm is small now, this species is a long‑term commitment:

Can reach around 20–25cm in the home aquarium (up to ~30cm in some cases)
Must be kept in a group of at least 5 or more for proper social behaviour
Needs a large aquarium – around 680L or more for a proper group

To keep Clown Loach 5/6cm healthy and active:

Provide a soft sandy substrate so they can sift and rest comfortably
Add caves, tunnels, driftwood and hiding spots for security
Maintain a water temperature of approx. 24–30°C
Aim for a pH of around 6.5–7.5 with good, stable water quality

When conditions are right, a group of Clown Loach 5/6cm will become very active, exploring all levels of the tank and showing off their social interactions.

Tank Mates for Clown Loach 5/6cm

The Clown Loach 5/6cm is generally peaceful and works well in large community setups, but tank mate choice matters:

Usually compatible: Peaceful community fish such as giant danios, angelfish, yoyo loaches, Corydoras, gourami and other medium‑sized community species.
Sometimes compatible: Very small or slow‑moving fish like neon tetras or tiny rasboras can be outcompeted for food and may not be ideal long‑term.
Rarely compatible: Super territorial cichlids (e.g. Dovii), large predatory catfish or any fish big enough to attempt to swallow a clown loach. Clown loaches have sharp cheek spines that can lodge in a predator’s mouth, often killing both fish.

Clown loaches are also excellent snail hunters – the Clown Loach 5/6cm will happily eat pest snails and can clear a tank of them over time.

Feeding Your Clown Loach 5/6cm

The Clown Loach 5/6cm accepts a wide variety of foods:

Quality sinking pellets and wafers as a staple
Sinking flakes and granules
Frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp
Occasional treats like insect‑based foods and vegetables

Because they are bottom‑dwellers and often more active at night, it can help to:

Use a baster or feeding tube to deliver food directly to the bottom
Offer a small dedicated feed after lights out so Clown Loach 5/6cm gets its share

A varied, sinking diet will keep your Clown Loach 5/6cm in top condition and bring out their best colours and behaviour.

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