Loach care guides

Verzorgingsgids

Loach Care Guide

A care guide covering the most popular loach species — clown loach, kuhli loach, dojo/weather loach, and yoyo loach. Covers their strong social needs, substrate requirements, feeding strategies for bottom-dwelling fish, and common health issues including ich susceptibility.

Soortgids

Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)

Chromobotia macracanthus

The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is one of the most beloved freshwater aquarium fish worldwide, cherished for its vivid orange-and-black banding, playful social behaviour, and impressive potential size of 30 cm or more. Native to the rivers of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia, this long-lived species demands a spacious tank, a social group of conspecifics, and careful attention to water quality. This guide covers every aspect of Clown Loach care — from tank setup and water chemistry to diet, breeding challenges, and disease prevention — informed by The Fish Collection's years of experience sourcing and maintaining these iconic fish.

Soortgids

Tiger Loach

Syncrossus hymenophysa

The Tiger Loach (Syncrossus hymenophysa) is a large, boldly patterned member of the Botiidae family native to the rivers and streams of Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula). Growing to 25–30 cm (10–12 in), this striking fish displays bold dark vertical bars on a golden-tan body — the "tiger stripes" that give it its common name. While undeniably beautiful, Tiger Loaches are more aggressive and demanding than their popular cousin the Clown Loach, requiring larger tanks, specific social structures, and experienced husbandry.