Clown Pleco
Panaqolus maccus
Also sold as L104 · L162
Synonyms Panaque maccus · Clown panaque
Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 9 cm (3.5 in) and swims along the bottom. It wants 73–82°F (23–28°C) and pH 6–7.5, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 gal).
Check a freshwater stocking selection with your tank size and animal counts.
Try it in a tank
Put Clown Pleco in a 3D tank at your size and see how it sits with everything else. Free with an account.
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 9 cm (3.5 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 L (20 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 73–82°F (23–28°C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| GH | 2–15 |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
| Eats shrimp | No |
Before it goes in
- Clown Pleco needs at least 75 L (20 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 20 Gallon High.
- It leaves shrimp and small fish alone.
- It holds at 73–82°F (23–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp.
- One of them takes up roughly 20% of what a 20 Gallon High will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Clown Pleco: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 75 L (20 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 20 Gallon High.
Will it eat shrimp?
No — adult shrimp and their young are both safe with it.
What water does it want?
73–82°F (23–28°C), pH 6–7.5, GH 2–15.
How long does it live?
10–12 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio and Molly.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Clown Pleco | Bristlenose Pleco | Clown Killifish | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 9 cm | 12 cm | 3.5 cm |
| Min tank | 75 L | 75 L | 41 L |
| Group | 1+ | 1+ | 8+ |
| Temperature | 73–82°F (23–28°C) | 72–81°F (22–27°C) | 68–79°F (20–26°C) |
| Eats shrimp | No | No | Shrimplets only |