Clown Pleco
Panaqolus maccus
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: South America
The Clown Pleco stays under 4 inches and eats driftwood. Beautiful striped pattern. Great alternative to the Common Pleco.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
3.5"
Temperature
73-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulbeginnerherbivore
Care Tips
- • Stays under 4 inches
- • MUST have driftwood — primary food source
- • Shy and nocturnal
- • Beautiful tan and dark stripes
- • Not a great algae eater despite being a pleco
Feeding: Primarily eats driftwood. Supplement with zucchini, algae wafers.
Compatibility Notes: Stays small, peaceful, beautiful. Better choice than common pleco for most tanks.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- herbivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
Stays small, peaceful, beautiful. Better choice than common pleco for most tanks.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- cave spawner
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
20 galloncommunityplanted tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
