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. Wood-eater — driftwood in the tank is non-negotiable.

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