I do not know how much you know about Clown loach but its good you know that your tank is not big enough to keep them as they grow.
So Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)
Water requirements pH 6.5 - 7.0, Hardness: aim for softer water, Maximum DH: 12 they are a hardy loach that will get used to slightly different water parameters but that's known as the optimum requirements they can handle between 25 to 30 degrees C I keep mine at 26 to 27 degrees C.
They can grow to 30 years plus in age in optimum conditions they usually grow quite fast from the juvenile 1/2 to 1 inch usually found in LFS up to about 5 inches (5 too 6 years) then there grow rate slows down quite considerably there are many documented cases of well kept adult Clown loaches growing to 8 to 12 inches and they do get bulky.
They are a communal fish that thrive in numbers, 6 is thought by most to be the minimum number for a group. They do become more confident with the more there are they are nocturnal but do get used to playing and feeding in the day the trick to seeing them during the day I have learnt is there numbers and also the number of caves and holes they can hide in, it also helps if there tank mates are subdued swimmers as erratic moving fish like Dannios can make them skittish and keep on darting for cover.
They like sand substrate it mimics the rivers they come from in Malay peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra etc but a smooth pea gravel is a suitable second to sand as they come from rivers they do like a bit of flow so a power head will be a welcome add.
They love to explore so when you do a major clean up ornaments rocks and bog wood in a slightly different place will keep them interested however Clowns are quite well known for doing a bit of rearranging of tank plants and pushing sand and gravel around digging the odd hole just to please there own tastes.
As they travel great distances up and down rivers they come across a lot of different foods and you need to supply this for them they do eat wafers but they love lots more personally I have at least 6 different hikhari wafers and pellets they eat, they love blood worms, muscles, prawns bits of chicken, cucumber the list is almost endless
They do lay on there sides motionless giving the new keeper a fright but this is a Clown being a Clown they swim upside down they can get into places thought impossible but sometimes there not so good at getting out personally any ornament that looks like it could be a problem I fill with filter foam to stop them from gaining access.
Clowns are a very peaceful loach but they will defend themselves if really pushed they have a bifurcated Suboccular spine just under each eye its rare to see them use it I have only seen it twice in 4 years and I watch my loaches alot so if you see it do not be disturbed.
There is no documented and substantiated breeding of Clown loach in captivity to my knowledge and I do keep an eye out on the net for news of it there are a few reports but there not considered bonafide. I have heard there are some farms that use hormones to breed Clowns but I do not really know much about that.
A lot of people say that Clowns are scaleless but I have actually read in several very well thought of locations that they do have scales its just they are so minute as to make it look like they have a skin, to be honest I have never lost a Clown and this is the only opportunity I will have to investigate this theory for myself lets hope its a long time before I get to make that conclusion. Clowns are well known for suffering white spot? In 4 years I have only had 1 major outbreak and 1 minor one but if yours do get it care will need to be taken in treating it but lets hope you do not need that help.
Well I hope this helps if you need any more help then please ask.
I will end this post by saying in no way am I an expert at keeping Clown Loach I just love them and have been keeping them for about 4 years and they they have given me a lifetime of enjoyment, what I know I have learnt from people and posts on this forum as well as other bits and peace's I have scraped together from the web I have taken the information and there advice implemented it and observed results from my own Clowns and this is what I share with you there a great species.
Regards onebto.
Many thanks onebto, there is a lot of information here. I was tempted to buy another 3 clown loach to keep them happier in a small shoal, however, the tank was already becoming quite crowded so thought better of it. They seem very happy how they are and sometimes do a dance or 2 for me. They each have very different characters and they are one of my favourite species in the tank at the moment. Only one of mine sleeps on its back, it even does it in the middle of the tank, so I don't think it feels particularly threatened. I'll post a pic in a bit.
I'm thinking of starting a clown loach tank at some point but keeping it community at the moment. When I start my clown loach tank I will move my current loaches to the single species tank
