Species › Loaches

Clown loach tank mates and minimum tank size

Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown loaches grow to 40 cm (16 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They nip the fins of slow or long-finned fish. They are active and can unsettle shy tank mates. They eat snails. They need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) and pH 5.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

648 L (171 US gal), at least 180 cm (71 in) long

Adult size

40 cm (16 in)

Temperature

25–30 °C (77–86 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.0

Group

6 or more

Clown loach minimum tank size

Clown loaches need at least 648 L (171 US gal), in a tank at least 180 cm (71 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 40 cm (16 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (160 cm (63 in)).

Clown loach tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against clown loaches by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (16)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Discus
• Dwarf gourami
• Glowlight tetra
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach

With care (21)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioClown loaches nip and chase; shy celestial pearl danios are likely targets. Celestial pearl danios are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Chili rasboraClown loaches nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraClown loaches nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and clown loaches. That leaves no margin. Clown loaches nip and chase; shy Endler's livebearers are likely targets. Endler's livebearers are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• German blue ramClown loaches nip and chase; shy German blue rams are likely targets. German blue rams are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Glass catfishClown loaches nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiClown loaches nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• KribensisThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and kribensis. That leaves no margin. Clown loaches nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OscarThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and oscars. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusClown loaches nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Panda corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and panda corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiClown loaches nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets. Pearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• PlatyThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and platies. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasClown loaches nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Rummy-nose tetraClown loaches nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (15)

• AngelfishClown loaches nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• BettaClown loaches nip fins, and bettas have long, trailing fins. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and clown loaches. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as clown loaches, many do not.
• Cherry shrimpClown loaches grow to 40 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Congo tetraClown loaches nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so clown loaches would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• GoldfishClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyClown loaches nip fins, and guppies have long, trailing fins. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; clown loaches need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; clown loaches need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both. Clown loaches eat snails, mystery snails included.
• Nerite snailClown loaches eat snails, nerite snails included. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danioClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26; Aquarium Co-op care guides, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank