Panaque maccus

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Panaque maccus, commonly called the clown pleco or ringlet pleco, is a dwarf loricariid. It originates in Colombia and Venezuala in a clear water biotope. Their natural environment driftwood tangles near riverbanks.

[edit] Panaque Maccus in the Aquarium

The clown pleco attains a maximum size of 4" which makes it an ideal species for small (10 gallons+) aquaria. In the aquarium, panaque maccus eat primarily vegetable matter and they must be provided with driftwood, as wood forms a large part of their diet. Their diet should also occasionally be supplemented with higher protein foods such as shrimp pellets, bloodworms, glassworms, etc. Loricariids are constant grzers, due to this fact, they produce large amounts of waste. They should be provided with a strong current in the aquarium and plenty of surfaces to attach themselves. Ideally, the aquarium should be a river set up, using pvc pipes to achieve a one directional flow. The water should be fairly warm, 78F-81F. Multiple individuals should be kept in a larger tank with plenty of hiding places to allow each fish to establish a territory. The clown pleco is a reclusive fish and will rarely stray from its chosen piece of driftwood, usually swimming no more than 6" in either direction in search of food. They do well with tankmates and are a good species for a community aquarium. Mature males of this species will develop interopercular odontodes on the rear half of the body.