🐠 Fish Compatibility Guide

Can Angelfish and Clown Loach Live Together?

Updated September 28, 2026 · FishCare AI Editorial Team

✅ Compatible — Compatibility Score: 82/100
82/100 — Compatible

Angelfish and Clown Loach Compatibility Overview

Short answer: Yes. Both do well at 77-84°F. Match the tank size and group size in the table below and both should do well.

Angelfish and Clown Loach can generally share an aquarium with appropriate planning. Both species prefer overlapping temperature and pH ranges. Angelfish is semi and Clown Loach is peaceful, so give them room and cover rather than assuming they will ignore each other. A minimum 100-gallon tank is recommended to provide adequate territory and water volume for both species.

Compatibility factors for Angelfish and Clown Loach
FactorAngelfishClown LoachVerdict
Temperature74–84°F77–86°F✅ 77–84°F
pH Range6.0–7.56.0–7.5✅ 6.0–7.5
Temperamentsemipeaceful⚠️ Monitor
Adult Size6 in12 in⚠️ 2.0× difference
Min. Group1+5+See below
Min. Tank Size100 gallons (for both species)—

Compatibility Positives

A stable shared temperature range is available.
Their pH requirements overlap.
Temperament risk is relatively low when normal group sizes are maintained.

Caution Points

No major compatibility issues identified for this pair.

Species Profiles

Angelfish — Pterophyllum scalare

Angelfish and Clown Loach compatibility — Angelfish

Elegant South American cichlids with long flowing fins. Generally peaceful but territorial when breeding and will eat very small fish.

→ Full Angelfish care guide

Clown Loach — Chromobotia macracanthus

Angelfish and Clown Loach compatibility — Clown Loach

Striking striped loach that grows very large. Peaceful with fish but will eat shrimp, snails and tiny fish.

→ Full Clown Loach care guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Angelfish live with Clown Loach?

Yes, in a well-planned setup. Angelfish and Clown Loach can generally share an aquarium with appropriate planning. Both species prefer overlapping temperature and pH ranges. Angelfish is semi and Clown Loach is peaceful, so give them room and cover rather than assuming they will ignore each other. A minimum 100-gallon tank is recommended to provide adequate territory and water volume for both species.

What tank size do I need for Angelfish and Clown Loach together?

A minimum of 100 gallons is recommended for keeping Angelfish and Clown Loach together. A larger tank improves water stability and reduces territorial conflict.

What temperature suits both Angelfish and Clown Loach?

77–84°F — inside Angelfish's 74–84°F and Clown Loach's 77–86°F.

Is a Angelfish aggressive toward a Clown Loach?

Angelfish is semi and Clown Loach is peaceful. No major aggression issues are expected between these species.

More Good Tank Mates for Angelfish and Clown Loach

The highest-scoring compatible partners for each species in our compatibility data.

For Angelfish

For Clown Loach

Related Compatibility Guides

Tank Size for Angelfish and Clown Loach

Use the scenario that matches the actual group sizes and temperament you plan to keep.

ScenarioTankWhen it applies
Minimum viable100 galOnly for the recommended minimum groups, mature filtration, and close monitoring.
Recommended community150 galAdds territory, swimming room, and a safer buffer for behavior.
Low-conflict setup220 galBest when keeping larger schools or reducing territorial pressure.