Tank mates for clown loaches

We checked clown loaches against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for clown loaches include tiger barb, oscar, kuhli loach, sterbai corydoras, boesemani rainbowfish and blood parrot cichlid. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: clown loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Clown loaches: 25–30°C (77–86°F), pH 6–7, adult size 25 cm (9.8 in), minimum tank 180 gallons (681 L). Full clown loach care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (20)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (99)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Angelfish · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
  • Betta fish · 5+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Common pleco · 150+ gal
    • Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Guppy · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
    • Clown loach grows much larger than guppies and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Neon tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than neon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than panda corydoras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Zebra danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than zebra danios and may swallow them as it grows.
  • African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than African dwarf frogs and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than black skirt tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than cardinal tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than celestial pearl danios and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Cherry barb · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than cherry barbs and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than chili rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Denison barb · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than dwarf neon rainbowfish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
    • Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Ember tetra · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than ember tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • German blue ram · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than German blue rams and may swallow them as it grows.
    • German blue ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than glowlight tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than harlequin rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Honey gourami · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
    • Clown loach grows much larger than honey gouramis and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than julii corydoras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Kribensis · 29+ gal
    • Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Molly · 29+ gal
    • Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (6–7 vs 7.5–8.5).
  • Otocinclus · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than otocinclus and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
  • Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Platy · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than platies and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than pygmy corydoras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than rummy-nose tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
  • X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than x-ray tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
  • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than black neon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than black phantom tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than bloodfin tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
    • Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Clown killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than clown killifish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Congo tetra · 40+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras are an easy target.
  • Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than diamond tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than dwarf chain loaches and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than emperor tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than Endler's livebearers and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than forktail blue-eyes and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than gardneri killifish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Giant danio · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Glass catfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than head and tail light tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than kubotai rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than lambchop rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than lemon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Odessa barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than odessa barbs and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Panda garra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than peacock gudgeons and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than penguin tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Rosy loach · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than rosy loaches and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than rosy tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Rubber lip pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than scarlet badis and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than serpae tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than sparkling gouramis and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Swordtail · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • Clown loach may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
  • Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
    • Clown loach grows much larger than threadfin rainbowfish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
  • Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Zebra loach · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than black ruby barbs and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than checkerboard barbs and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than dwarf rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Flame tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than flame tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than green neon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Least killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than least killifish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
  • Pearl danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • Clown loach grows much larger than pearl danios and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach grows much larger than silvertip tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
  • Variatus platy · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Clown loach grows much larger than variatus platies and may swallow them as it grows.

Avoid Bad tank mates (30)

  • Cherry shrimp: Clown loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
  • Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Nerite snail: Clown loach eats snails, including nerite snails.
  • Assassin snail: Clown loach eats snails, including assassin snails.
  • Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Hillstream loach: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Malaysian trumpet snail: Clown loach eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
  • Mystery snail: Clown loach eats snails, including mystery snails.
  • Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
  • Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Ramshorn snail: Clown loach eats snails, including ramshorn snails.
  • Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Rosy barb: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), rosy barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
  • Crystal red shrimp: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), crystal red shrimp 20–24°C (68–75°F). Clown loach eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
  • Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), dwarf orange crayfish 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Frontosa: They need very different water: pH 6–7 vs 8–9. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Gold barb: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), gold barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Green terror: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), green terror 20–24°C (68–75°F). Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Paradise fish: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F).
  • Rabbit snail: Clown loach eats snails, including rabbit snails.
  • Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Clown loaches don't belong in that setup.
  • Glowlight danio: They need different temperatures: Clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F), glowlight danio 20–24°C (68–75°F).

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with clown loaches?

Good tank mates for clown loaches include tiger barb, oscar, kuhli loach, sterbai corydoras, boesemani rainbowfish and blood parrot cichlid. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat clown loaches.

Can clown loaches live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.

Can clown loaches live with bettas?

Sometimes, with care. Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

Can clown loaches live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C). Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.

Can clown loaches live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.