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Royal Clown LoachImperial Flower Loach, Elongate Loach, Queen LoachFamily: Cobitidae Leptobotia elongataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More Where can I buy some of the great loaches Ross Freeman The Royal Clown Loach is behemoth in size, regal in appearance... and royal in price!Royal Clown Loach Contents The massive Royal Clown Loach Leptobotia elongata is a very beautiful, behemoth sized loach from China. It can reach over 30 inches (76.2 cm) long in its natural habitat. It is usually imported at between 7 to 12 inches (18 - 30 cm) in length. As adults, a beautiful color pattern of yellow and black rosettes will evolve. It is not often available, but when it is it commands a hefty price. The Royal Clown Loach, called the Imperial Flower Loach in China, is quite attractive. It has a light golden to grayish brown body with a head that is darker and a more grayish blue and golden on the sides. There are irregular dark markings on the body, fins, and and tail fin that are a mix of vertical stripes, bands, or just blotches. These develop into beautiful rosettes on mature specimens. The contrast between the golden background and the strong dark markings, along with its large size, give it a very regal appearance. Other common names it is known by that also speak to its appearance include the Elongate Loach, Queen Loach, Giant Loach, and King Loach. In the Leptobotia genus there are 13 species. They all originate from China except one, the rare and endangered Leptobotia curta which is from Japan. This Elongate Loach is quite massive, while others in the Leptobotia genus can be much smaller. There is a huge contrast between this fish and it close relative the Lepto Loach or Royal Gold Banded Loach Leptobotia Guilinensis being on the small side at just 3 to 4 inches ( 8 - 10 cm). This giant sized loach is fascinating to keep. Both the size and coloring of the Imperial Flower Loach make it an interesting addition to those with a very large aquarium. Its mode of swimming is also fascinating. It has a side to side motion similar to that of an eel. The Royal Clown Loach is actually a very shy nocturnal fish and will tend to be active only at night or when eating. They will appreciate plenty of hiding and resting places in rocks and roots. Though they are carnivores with small fish being their natural diet, the Royal Clown Loach is not an aggressive fish. They can be be kept with other large non-aggressive tank mates as well as others of their own species. They are actually very social with their own king, and should be kept in groups of at least three individuals. Just keep in mind that if any tank mate can fit in their mouth, it will become lunch. For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
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The Royal Clown Loaches are omnivorous. In their natural habitat they feed mostly on small, native catfish species, but also eats crustaceans and algae. In captivity they will do best with live foods, especially earthworms. They can also be offered various live and frozen proteins such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, as well as pelleted foods. They have also known to eat large flakes.
This fish needs a very large aquarium, a tank of 100 gallons or more with a strong filtration system and good aeration. Provide places for retreat such as rocks, and roots. The substrate can be gravel or a large grain sand that does not have sharp edges. Also the addition of some smooth river stones will make them feel comfortable. They are quite shy and will appreciate subdued lighting.
The natural river system the Elongate Loach comes from fluctuates widely in temperature, from a low of 40° F up to the mid 80's. Although these fish don't need a heater, they do seem to do best in a warm aquarium. They also do best with soft to medium, slightly acidic water and must have frequent water changes of about 10% a week.
Distribution: The Royal Clown Loach Leptobotia elongata are found in Asia; China, originating from the middle and upper areas of the Yangtze River and its tributaries. Other common names it is know by are Imperial Flower Loach, Elongate Loach, Queen Loach, Giant Loach, and King Loach.
They inhabit flowing waters where the substrate is gravel and smooth river rocks. They feed on small native catfish species, crustaceans and algae. They are highly social and congregate with others of their own kind.
The Elongate Loach was introduced into the aquarium trade in Singapore at the tropical fish show, Aquarama, in the second half of the 1990' s. The Leptobotia elongata is not evaluted by the IUCN Red List as of yet. But due to Hydroelectric dams built on the river systems, there has a dramatic effected on their migratory spawning habits, and reduced populations have been noted by the locals.
The Royal Clown Loach is a very large loach. In its natural habitat it can grow up to 30" (76.2 cm) in length. Newly imported specimens are usually between 7 - 12" (18 - 30 cm) long, but it will grow, so anticipate it needing a very large tank to house it.
The overall coloring of this Imperial Flower Loach is a light golden to grayish brown with irregular dark markings. The markings can be a mix of vertical stripes, bands, or just blotches. The markings begin to resemble beautiful flower rosettes in mature adults. The head is a more grayish blue with yellowish brown sides, it is darker than the body. The dorsal and pectoral fins are short and of the same coloration as the body. The caudal fin is red with dark spots or blotches. this loach has three pairs of barbels in the mouth region. Juveniles are a uniform charcoal gray with bars beginning to develop when they reach about 2" in size.
Size - Weight: These fish are generally seen at about 7 - 12" (18 - 30 cm) when first imported, but in the wild these fish can get up to a whopping 30" (76.2 cm).
Social Behaviors: Royal Clown Loaches are very shy nocturnal loaches, and will get active when feeding and at night. Although they are a peaceful community fish, they are also a large predatory loach. They will eat tank mates that fit in their mouth, They are not territorial and can be kept with other large non-aggressive fish as well as others of their own species. They are very social with their own kind, and should be kept in groups, with a minimum of three individuals.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: These fish are mostly bottom dwellers.
Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: from about 5 - 15° dH
Ph: 6.8 - 7.2
Temp: 72 - 82° F (22 - 28° C)
Breeding/Reproduction: The Royal Clown Loach has not been bred in the aquarium. They have been bred in captivity in China by a Mr. Yang in Sichuan Province via hormone injections, but they are not yet bred on a large commercial scale.
In their natural habitat, Royal Clown Loach adults go through spawning migrations upriver from March to May. There they scattered adhesive eggs into flowing waters. The eggs are taken with the water flow, and finally settle on gravel substrates where the constant current provides oxygen for their development.
Availability: The Royal Clown Loach is only rarely available, but quite a find if you come across one, though they are usually expensive.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
- Dr. R{uuml}diger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 4 , Mergus Verlag, 2004
- Wesley Wong, Stan Sung, The Imperial Flower Loach, Tropical Fish Magazine, May 2010
- Martin Thoene, Leptobotia elongata, Loaches Online, 2009
- Leptobotia elongata (Bleeker, 1870), Fishbase.org
- Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974
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