Clown pleco is a beautiful and peaceful species of fish that is suitable for most fish tanks. The clown pleco size is also one of the reasons why it is loved by most fish tank owners.
It is a small fish that can be placed in an aquarium due to its beautiful appearance. The fish are one of the many dwarf pleco species that are originally from the soft, neutral waters in the rivers of Venezuela and Columbia.
The fish remains small in size even in maturity and it likes to stay in the bottom-most part of an aquarium. Clown pleco scientifically known as Panaqolus Maccus has been kept by hobbyists for a long time now. It gained recognition in 1993 although it has been in the retail market before its formal recognition.
The clown pleco size makes this fish suitable to share a tank or aquarium with other fish varieties. Clown pleco is a freshwater fish thus it will need to be kept in a freshwater tank or aquarium.
The Panaqolus Maccus is a herbivore thus it will eat wood and other types of plants.
Clown Pleco Size and Appearance
Clown pleco appearance
The clown pleco has an attractive appearance that features a series of distinct patterns that make the fish stand out no matter the type of fish they’re sharing a tank with.
The base of the fish is black with brighter colored bands that stretch around their whole body in different patterns.
The bright sections are usually either whiteish-yellow or orange in color. The color vibrancy and patterns can vary depending on some genetic factors or the health of the fish.
Wild clown plecos tend to have brighter colors than ones in captivity. They have a large, thick head and body from the front of their dorsal fin up.
At the start of their dorsal fin, they begin to slim out to the caudal peduncle. The clown pleco has a tall and pronounced dorsal fin.
They have pectoral fins that are very large and often rest behind them when they are laying on top of driftwood. The fish also have a caudal fin that has the same surface area as their dorsal fin.
You can at times see their caudal fin fully splayed out and other times the fin will be a bit compressed.
Clown Pleco Size
The clown pleco size is approximately 3 and a half inches long. The clown pleco max size is about 4-inch range but it is uncommon. The size of the clown pleco can be influenced by several factors.
Some of the factors can be controlled while others cannot be controlled. The two main factors that determine the size of your clown pleco are genetics and the level of care you provide to the fish.
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The lifespan of Clown Pleco
The average lifespan of a clown pleco is between 10-12 years when properly taken care of. Its long lifespan makes it suitable for those who need a fish that they can have and bond with for a long time.
The lifespan of the clown pleco can be shortened if it is not provided with the proper living conditions. Poor diet, poor quality water, and a constant state of stress can also reduce the lifespan of your clown pleco.
Taking Care of Clown Plecos
They are low-maintenance fish that are easy to take care of. Clown pleco can be kept by aquarists of all experience levels successfully without any problems.
The fish only require you to provide them with an ideal environment and stay consistent with monitoring the water.
Clown Pleco Tank Size
The ideal clown pleco tank size is a minimum of 20 gallons. Clown plecos are small fish and they don’t swim around much thus you won’t need to get a large tank to make them comfortable.
For fish tank and aquarium owners who want to keep multiple clown plecos in the same aquarium, they will need to increase the size of the tank. An additional 10 gallons for each new clown pleco you keep is required.
It is advisable to have an extra 10 gallons just so there is enough room for each fish to have its territory. And don’t forget to put a good canister filter in your tank.
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Tank Requirements
The high adaptability of the clown pleco makes it easy to keep and take care of. The clown pleco size does not change much even in its natural habitat.
However, you need to provide it with a spacious tank to ensure that it thrives. It is recommended to have a 75 to 100 gallons tank for your fish since the clown pleco size can go to a maximum size of 2 feet.
The water temperature in your clown pleco aquarium should be the same as that of the natural habitat. A tank temperature of between 75-82°F is considered to be suitable for your clown pleco.
The water pH should also be ideal for your clown pleco. Water pH of 5.5 -7.8 and the hardness to dH10 is ideal to ensure that your fish thrives.
Despite the clown pleco size, they also need sufficient hiding spots in the fish tank or aquarium. It is important to ensure that your tank or aquarium has lots of plants.
A lot of fish will help encourage algae growth which is advised since the fish likes to feed on algae.
Ensuring the recommended water parameters is also important to ensure your fish is healthy and they achieve the ideal clown pleco size. Consistent water levels will ensure your clown plecos are happy and healthy.
Despite them being handy fish, they need a conducive environment for them to grow well and reach the suitable clown pleco max size.
Feeding
To achieve the recommended clown pleco size, you need to ensure that your plecos have a balanced diet. Clown plecos are avid eaters of algae thus they need to be placed in a tank that is densely populated with algae.
In their natural habitat, plecos also feed on driftwood therefore, you need some driftwood in the tank for them to feed easily.
You can also provide your clown plecos with standard vegetables such as zucchini, cucumbers, yams, whole peas, and squash. Boil the vegetable before giving them to the fish to make them soft and easy for them to eat.
Some aquarists also opt to feed their clown plecos with meat occasionally to ensure they have some protein. Meat is a rich source of protein that will not only make your fish strong and healthy but also help them achieve the ideal clown pleco size quickly.
You need to avoid overfeeding them meat since it might cause them to have a mega clown pleco full size.
When your plecos become large than their natural clown pleco size, they might have a shorter lifespan. Mega clown pleco full size can also affect the health of your aquarium and lead to an unhealthy competition of resources for other fish in the same tank.
Some of the meat that you can give your plecos includes; bloodworms, daphnia, live bloodworms, etc.
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Clown plecos are attractive fish species that will make any aquarium or fish tank look attractive. Their vibrant color and patterns will attract any aquarist.
A healthy diet and the right environment are all that you need to have healthy clown plecos that have the right clown pleco size and appearance.
Reference
Everything Fishkeeping: Clown Pleco: Care Guide, Tank Mates and Breeding…