Clown Loach: Tank Size, Tank Mates and How Many to Keep

Clown loaches are playful orange-and-black fish that grow as long as your forearm. They live for decades and need a very large tank.

Adult size
11.8 in30 cm
Smallest tank
151 gallons570 liters
How many
5 or more
Temperature
77–86 °F25–30 °C
pH
6–7.5
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
On the bottom
Heater needed
Yes

What size tank do clown loaches need?

At least 150 gallons (570 liters). That is bigger than any standard home aquarium on our chart, so this is a fish for a custom tank or a pond. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Chromobotia macracanthus.

How many clown loaches in each tank size?

This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if clown loaches are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.

Keep one clown loach per tank, whatever the size. None of the common tank sizes up to 125 gallons is big enough for an adult.

Check clown loaches against your own tank and other fish

Good to know

  • Grows to 30 cm and must live in a group: a fish for very large tanks only.
  • Keep at least 5. Alone or in twos and threes, clown loaches hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.

Tank mates for clown loaches

These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.

Poor matches

  • Betta: Clown loach (about 12 in) can eat betta (about 2.6 in).
  • Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
  • Oscar: Oscar is aggressive and will bully or kill peaceful fish such as clown loach.
  • Molly: They need different water: Clown loach likes a pH of 6–7.5, molly likes 7.5–8.5.

Questions and answers

What size tank do clown loaches need?

At least 150 gallons (570 liters). That is bigger than any standard home aquarium on our chart, so this is a fish for a custom tank or a pond.

How many clown loaches should be kept together?

At least 5. Clown loaches are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.

Can clown loaches live in a 10 gallon tank?

No. Clown loach needs at least 150 gallons (570 liters), and grows to 12 in (30 cm), far too long for a 20 inch tank.

What temperature do clown loaches need?

77–86 °F (25–30 °C), with a pH of 6–7.5. In most homes that means a heater.

Can clown loaches live with a betta?

It is not a good match. Clown loach (about 12 in) can eat betta (about 2.6 in).

More fish

Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.