Source: Wikimedia Commons
Clown Pleco
BeginnerPanaqolus maccus
A small pleco with pale bands across a dark body. It eats wood, so driftwood is essential. At under 9cm it suits modest tanks and is peaceful. The banding is straight in some populations and wavy in others, depending on origin.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
22〜28℃
Lifespan
5-8 years
Size
8-9cm
Diet
Driftwood, vegetables, spirulina and frozen bloodworm
About
Panaqolus maccus is a small loricariid catfish of the Apuré and Caroní basins in Venezuela and Colombia, living among driftwood tangles in tannin-stained water near the banks. FishBase records 8.8cm standard length. Pale bands cross a dark body and the pattern changes with age. Straight-barred fish come from the Llanos drainages that feed the Apuré, while the wavy-patterned form comes from the Orinoco proper and its tributaries in Bolivar State, Venezuela. The L-numbers L104, L162 and LDA22 all refer to this species. Because it eats wood, driftwood must always be present, supplemented with vegetables, spirulina and frozen foods. It produces a lot of waste, so filtration needs headroom. It is peaceful and suits an ordinary community tank; tanks from 15 US gallons, about 57 litres, are considered suitable. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Clown Pleco
The Clown Pleco lives 5-8 years.
Size of the Clown Pleco
The Clown Pleco grows to 8-9cm.
Basic Info
Origin
South America (Apuré and Caroní basins in Venezuela and Colombia)
Lifespan
5-8 years
Size
8-9cm
Temperature
22〜28℃
Diet
Care Specifications
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Panaqolus maccus (Schaefer & Stewart, 1993)
Synonyms: Panaque maccus
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Clown Pleco Listings
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