Species Profile

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Plecospeaceful

Adult size

3.5″

Minimum tank

30 gal

Temperature

73–82°F

6.8–7.6

Schooling

Solitary OK

Water level

bottom

Grows from juvenile

Typically sold at ~2″ and reaches 3.5″ over ~1 year. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.

Diet

Driftwood, blanched veggies, algae wafers

Notes

Stays small unlike most plecos (3.5″ adult), making it the rare pleco that fits a community tank long-term. Wood-eater, driftwood in the tank is non-negotiable for digestion. Mostly nocturnal; hides during the day.

Build a tank →Photo credits

Photo: Jarne Colman / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC0-1.0