Clown Loach

Descrição

Chromobotia macracanthus, commonly known as the Clown Loach, is a freshwater fish belonging to the family Botiidae. It is highly prized in the aquarium trade for its striking coloration and active, playful behavior. This species is characterized by its elongated, somewhat compressed body, vibrant orange to reddish-orange base color, and three broad, black, wedge-shaped vertical bands. They are bottom-dwelling fish, often found in schools, and are known for their ability to consume snails.

Características físicas

Formato do corpo

elongated

Coloração

Vibrant orange to reddish-orange base color with three distinct, broad, black, wedge-shaped vertical bands. The first band runs through the eye, the second between the head and dorsal fin, and the third covers the dorsal fin and extends onto the caudal peduncle. Fins are typically orange to red with black markings.

Tipo de escama

none

Posição da boca

inferior

Características distintivas

Three broad, black, wedge-shaped vertical bands on an orange/red body., Four pairs of barbels around the mouth., A retractable spine located beneath each eye, used for defense., Forked caudal fin.

Nadadeira dorsal

Single dorsal fin, typically orange with a black margin or spot.

Nadadeira caudal

Deeply forked caudal fin, often orange with black markings.

Nadadeira peitoral

Paired pectoral fins, typically clear to orange.

Nadadeiras características

Pelvic fins are also paired and often match the body coloration. Anal fin is small and located posteriorly.

Dicas de identificação

Habitat

Tipo de água

freshwater

Profundidade

Typically found in shallow to moderately deep waters of rivers and floodplains.

Ambiente

Native to slow-moving to moderately flowing rivers, tributaries, and floodplains. They prefer areas with soft substrates (sand or mud), abundant submerged vegetation, roots, and driftwood, which provide shelter and foraging opportunities. During the rainy season, they migrate into flooded forests and plains.

Distribuição geográfica

Native to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Malaysia).

Informações sobre aquário

• Nível de cuidado: intermediate
• Temperamento: peaceful
• Alimentação: omnivore
• Tamanho mínimo do aquário: 75 gallons (280 liters) for a small group of juveniles, significantly larger for adults (125+ gallons or 470+ liters)
• Temperatura: 24-30°C (75-86°F)
• Nível de pH: 6.0-7.5
• Dureza da água: 5-12 dGH
• Compatibilidade: Generally peaceful and can be kept with other similarly sized, non-aggressive community fish. Avoid very small or slow-moving fish that might be intimidated, and aggressive species that could harm them. Best kept in groups of 5 or more.
• Requisitos especiais: Requires a well-established aquarium with excellent filtration and good water flow. Provide plenty of hiding places such as caves, driftwood, and dense planting. A soft substrate (sand or fine gravel) is essential as they like to dig. They are sensitive to poor water quality and sudden changes in parameters. Prone to Ich (white spot disease) if stressed or in unstable conditions.

Informações no ambiente natural

• Estado de conservação: least concern
• Sazonalidade: Spawning in the wild is often associated with the rainy season and subsequent flooding, which provides access to new feeding grounds and breeding sites. In captivity, breeding is rare and often induced hormonally.
• Preço de mercado: Varies depending on size and region, generally moderate to high for larger specimens.
• Importância comercial: high
• Sabor: Not typically consumed due to their value as ornamental fish and relatively small size for consumption.
• Textura: Not typically consumed.
• Valor nutricional: Not typically consumed.

Fatos principais

Espécies similares

Classificação científica

Reino

Animalia

Filo

Chordata

Classe

Actinopterygii

Ordem

Cypriniformes

Família

Botiidae

Gênero

Chromobotia

Espécie

macracanthus

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