Its head is relatively large and its mouth faces downward with thick, fleshy lips, and four pairs of barbels.

[2] Clown loach reproduce in captivity only after hormonal stimulation of final oocyte maturation and ovulation.

Captive breeding and mass production of clown loach is done primarily in country of origin (Indonesia) and in Europe.

[citation needed] A common and popular fish for tropical freshwater aquaria, C. macracanthus is a visually pleasing species.

They make suitable tank-mates for any non-aggressive community fishes, but do not thrive when kept with larger, more dominant species.

As C. macracanthus is found in riverine environments it is able to cope with good flow rates of water in the aquaria.

The fish will often seek areas of shade or cover in which to rest during the day and become more active when light levels are more subdued.

Due to the fact that clown loaches have small or no scales, they are often not treated with full doses of medications.

[11] Most clown loaches accept commercial flake food and sinking pellets as their dietary staple, but thrive with a variety of food: live (worms, brine shrimp, small snails), banana, other plant matter, freeze-dried (tubifex worms, especially if it is fortified) and frozen brine shrimp.

Clown loaches (and their cousins) are also one of the few fishes that will eat bladder snails (Physella acuta), and are valued by aquarists for controlling this pest in planted aquaria.