Clown Loaches come from stained and unstained water with dim lighting. Water that has been stained with tannins (Almond leaves would be perfect as cover as well) would be helpful forl ong term care. Some floating plants such as Salvinia or Duckweed also give them a sense of calm. Cryptocoryne would be a great plant since they would offer shade and require low light levels.  A well-covered aquarium is suggested since many loaches like to jump.

Clown Loaches prefer to be kept in small groups, often sharing caves or tubes. Smooth rocks, wood, flower pots, and aquarium ornaments can be used to give them places to explore. This can be used to easily catch them by blocking the ends of a pipe with your hands. Because of this behavior, it is best to keep at least 5-6 individuals.  They can grow as large as 6-8”, but grow slowly.  Larger specimens are prized in the hobby so they could be exchanged for smaller ones if they grow too large. They may nip the fins of long-finned fish.

We feed them a large variety of foods which include finely ground Northfin flake foods, small Northfin pellets (veggie, community, & bug pro), frozen foods and black worms.

The clown loaches scientific name is Pangio oblonga.

Our Tank Parameters

• Ph: 6.5 to 7.5
• Gh: 6 to 15
• Kh:  2 to 5
• TDS: 100 to 200
• Temp: 70 to 78

Tank Recommendations

• Leaves: Indian Almond or Guava
• Wood: Malaysian or Mopani