Clown Pleco care guide
Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus) — minimum tank 75 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 6.5-7.5.
Overview
The Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus) is a small wood-eating loricariid from northern South America. Adults display bold pale and dark vertical bands and rarely exceed 10 cm, making it a popular small pleco for community aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Panaqolus
- Scientific name: Panaqolus maccus
- Common synonyms: Clown Panaque, Ringlet Pleco
Habitat
Native to slow- to moderately flowing tributaries of the Orinoco and Caroní river basins in Venezuela and Colombia, with abundant submerged wood.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 75 L (19.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 7-10 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
A wood-grazing herbivore. Provide multiple pieces of driftwood, supplemented with sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables and occasional protein-rich treats.
Compatibility
A peaceful nocturnal bottom-dweller. Keep one or a small group of conspecifics in larger tanks with multiple caves. Compatible with most peaceful community fish; avoid pairing with other small Panaqolus that occupy the same niche.
Breeding
Cave-spawner. The male guards eggs deposited in narrow caves; fry feed on biofilm and supplementary foods once free-swimming.