Clown Pleco

Clown pleco, indigenous to Venezuela, is a wood-eating fish belonging to the Loricariidae family. This small fish, with a dark body and striped pattern, appears stunningly beautiful, being a popular choice among fish hobbyists. 

Quick Information

Scientific Name	Panaqolus maccus
Other Names	Clown panaque, ringlet pleco, clown plecostomus; L162, L104, LDA22 (as per the L-numbering system)
Origin	Venezuela
Type	Freshwater fish
Conservation Status	Not recorded
Behavioral Characteristics	Calm and peaceful but may show aggression and territorial behavior towards same-sex clown plecos
School Size	2 – 3
Physical Traits	Small, black body; round, large eyes in the shape of a ball; a flat stomach; tall, a pronounced dorsal fin that fans a little, big and prominent caudal and pectoral fin
Scales	Does not have scales
Colors	Black body, with white or orange bands arranged in a wavy or striped pattern
Size (How big do they get)	Small; 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Lifespan	10 – 12 years
Sexual Dimorphism	Present; Males: Short and thin, developing elongated odontodes on their head and dorsal fins during the breeding period; Females: Longer and plumper, having shorter odontodes
Probable Diseases	Ich
Approximate Price (How much is it for)	$10 – 20

Tank Setup & Care Sheet Details

Care Level	Intermediate
Tank Size	20 gallons (75.7 liters) for a single fish; with additional 10 gallons (37.8 liters) for every other individual species

Water Parameters

pH Level	6.8 – 7.6
Temperature	73 – 82°F (23 – 28°C)
Hardness	8 – 10 dGH
Aquarium  Water Flow	Moderate to high

Tank Ambience

Lighting	Moderate
Substrate Type	Sand, small gravels, and pebbles
Tank Mates	Compatible with: Ember tetra, pygmy corydoras, oscar, harlequin rasbora, white cloud mountain minnow, bristlenose pleco,  gouramies, and cichlids Incompatible with: Same-sex clown plecos and bigger aggressive species like red-bellied piranha, and giant wolffish
Suitable Position in the Tank	Bottom

Feeding

Diet	Driftwood (their primary food) but must also be given spirulina, frozen foods like bloodworm, fresh vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, squash, yams, and whole peas and algae wafers (as an alternate option)
Frequency	2 – 3 times a day

Important Things to Know For Fish Keepers

• The clown pleco could turn pale orange or lose color rapidly due to improper water conditions, stress, or even lack of proper nutrition. The presence of other symptoms like loss of appetite or restlessness requires a fish veterinarian’s intervention.
• Wood, a significant part of their diet, is not easily digestible, resulting in a lot of waste accumulation at the bottom of the tank. Changing a certain portion of the water on a routine basis alongside proper filtration measures would help maintain the aquarium’s hygiene.

FAQs