The clown loach is the species that started this whole rabbit hole for me. Native to Sumatra and Borneo, it lives in slow, tannin-stained rivers full of submerged rocks, leaf litter, and pebbles. Adults can reach 30 cm in the wild, though most aquarium specimens stay smaller.
Other botiid loaches (clown loaches, yoyo loaches), similar social needs; ensure adequate tank space.Your tank is newly set up, polka dot loaches need a biologically mature system. You want a subtle, unobtrusive bottom-dweller, these fish have real presence and make noise about it.
I'd move the clown loaches over once the new tank is cycled, but BEFORE adding the cichlids.Thanks for the quick replies! I will start cycling very soon using some gravel from the 25g in a pantie hose, plus putting the dirty sponge from the HOB filter of the 25g inside my fluval canister.

Such details provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for Filtration Systems For Newly Introduced Clown Loach.
my clown loach fish moving in my fish tank. Generally, clown loaches are bottom-dwellers, but sometimes they may also come to the surface searching for food and making their typical clicking sound. So if you are noticing it only seldom, then no need to panic!
So, how many clown loaches are enough? The generally accepted minimum group size for clown loaches is five to six individuals. This allows them to establish a social hierarchy, engage in natural behaviors, and feel secure in their environment.

1. Introduction. Clown Loach or Botia fish (Chromobotia macracanthus) is an ornamental fish endemic to Indonesia originating from Kalimantan and Sumatra. Botia fishes in Kalimantan are scattered in the Barito, Kahayan, Kapuas, Mahakam and Bongan rivers.
Yoyo loaches, zebra loaches, dwarf chain loaches, and clown loaches can use their pointed snouts to probe the substrate and pull out buried snails, which makes them genuinely well-suited to an MTS problem in a way that most fish are not.