Botia_macracantha Botia_macracantha

Botia macracantha - Definition and Overview

Clown Loach
Image:A clown loach.jpg
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

References

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