Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Care profile for Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus): 10 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Care Parameters

Adult size

10 cm

Min tank

60 L

Temperature

24–28°C

6.5–7.5

4–15 dGH

Diet

Herbivore

Temperament

Peaceful

Water zone

Bottom

Difficulty

Beginner

Schooling

Solitary or a pair.

Suitable Plants

Vallisneria spiralis

Care profile for Vallisneria spiralis: medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Christmas Moss

A popular aquarium moss with branching fronds that resemble a Christmas tree shape. Attaches easily to hardscape and creates dense, attractive green coverage.

Peacock Moss

A delicate aquarium moss with fine, feathery fronds that create a soft, flowing carpet. Attaches easily to hardscape and tolerates a wide range of conditions.

Anubias barteri

Care profile for Anubias barteri: low light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Water Sprite

A fast-growing, fern-like plant that can be floating or planted. Provides excellent cover for fry and absorbs nutrients rapidly. Very easy to grow.

Compatible Invertebrates

Red Cherry Shrimp

A tiny, vivid red dwarf shrimp that breeds easily and endlessly entertains. Fine in nano tanks from 20 L; keep GH 4-15 dGH for successful molting, avoid copper-based medications entirely, and use a sponge filter so young shrimplets never get sucked in.

Babaulti Shrimp

A small, colorful freshwater shrimp available in green, brown, and striped morphs. Hardy and easy to breed, making them excellent additions to planted community tanks.

Bamboo Shrimp

Also called the wood shrimp, it stations itself in the current and fans microscopic food from the water with its four feathery feeding fans. Needs brisk flow (8-10x tank volume per hour) and regular feedings of powdered or micro food, or it will slowly starve in a clean tank.