Clown Panaque
Panaque maccus
This fish has a stocky body and a beige to yellow coloration with large black spots. It has a sucker mouth and teeth adapted for scraping wood. It reaches a maximum size of about 12 cm. It is a peaceful and nocturnal species that appreciates hiding places. It is less dependent on wood than large Panaque but still consumes it. It is often confused with other small Panaque species. Its maintenance is relatively easy.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| GH | 2–10 |
| KH | 1–5 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Care notes
A tank of at least 100 liters is recommended. Water should be soft to moderately hard (GH 2-10), acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5) and at a temperature of 24-28°C. Provide driftwood, caves, and plants. Diet should include blanched vegetables, herbivore pellets, and wood. Nitrates should stay below 20 mg/L. Moderate filtration and regular water changes are sufficient. This species is compatible with peaceful fish of similar size. Avoid aggressive species.