Clown Loach
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cobitidae Genus: Botia Species: macracanthus
Binomial name
Botia macracanthus (Bleeker, 1852)

A Clown Loach or Tiger Botia (Botia macracanthus) is a freshwater fish belonging to the loach family (Cobitidae). Originating in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, it is commonly kept as a pet in tropical aquaria. They have an orange fins with 3 black bands on a yellowish body and some barbels about their mouth. They grow slowly to a maximum length of 11.8 in (30.0 cm).

A harmless, very active, social fish, they are best kept in groups of 5 or more. When kept in smaller groups, they may spend more time hiding under obstacles in the water. They natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 5.0 - 8.0 pH, a water hardness of 5.0 - 12.0 dGH, and an ideal temperature range of 77 - 86 °F (25 - 30 °C). They eat small worms, crustaceans, and plant matter.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

• "Botia macracanthus" (TSN 640124) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=640124). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 11 November 2004.
• "Botia macracanthus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=10897)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. September 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.