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FisheasyFreshwater

Clown Pleco

Panaque maccus

Family: Loricariidae

📍 Venezuela & Colombia

Ask Finn

The Clown Pleco is a small, attractively patterned plecostomus with bold yellow-and-black tiger-stripe markings on a compact 8–10 cm body, making it one of the most manageable pleco species for community tanks. Unlike most plecos it is primarily a wood eater (xylivore) and must have driftwood available to gnaw on. It is a cavity dweller that benefits from PVC pipes or hollow wood to use as territory.

Keeping this species

diet
Herbivore/Xylivore – driftwood (essential), algae wafers, blanched zucchini, cucumber
lifespan
10–12 years
max size
10 cm (4 in)
tank size
20 gallons minimum
temperament
Peaceful; males territorial with other plecos

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Tips from the community 💡

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Water it likes

ph
6.5–7.5
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
3–15 dGH
temperature
73–84°F (23–29°C)

Natural Habitat Temperature

82°80°77°JFMAMJJASOND

77°F 82°F seasonal range  · (Jan low, Apr high)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists