Topic: clown pleco

[Luke]

any one now mucha bout this species of pleco ?

i seen a pretty looking one at the LFS today , they where asking $80 or$ 90 Aud i think

[Maddy mad man]

Hi Luke

As it happens I do as I tried to breed a pair unsuccessfully many years ago and got rid of them when i migrated.

When i bought mine it was described as a ringlet pleco but this is just another name for clown pleco.  The scientific name (had to refer to my book for this) is panacolus marcos and they originate from South America.  They are as tough as old boots like the common pleco though considerably smaller.  Mine were about 4 inches after several years and I considered them mature adults. 

I know you have a 55g there but your smaller tank of 38 would suffice one of theses - probably two.  They do poop a lot and like other plecos cause the old bioload business.  They are territorial like many of their cousins and mine werent particularly good algae eaters especially when adults, preferring to be fed sinking food (obviously).  Many plecos are poor algae eaters in adulthood.

Temp 74 - 78

Water mid range PH

Females tend to be fatter behind their pectoral fins and males have teeth like bits sticking out on their pectoral fins and back.

The only note i would add is when buying avoid any with a sunken concave belly as it means they have been underfed.

Arent you glad i keep my books?

[tracey]

One of our previous members wrote a really good profile on them.

http://www.worldcichlids.com/fishprofiles/clownpleco.html

There are two different species that are sometimes called "Clown Pleco", Panaque maccus and Peckoltia vittata and you'll need to have a good look to make sure you're getting the one you want. 

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/panaque/734_F.PHP  Panaque maccus

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/peckolti/75_F.PHP  Peckoltia vittata

[manatp]

wow, that is expensive for a assistant fish, is it just in Australia that they are that expensive or everywhere? I've only been to the LFS so bare with me please when the priciest fish I've seen is $30 lmao

[Maddy mad man]

wow, that is expensive for a assistant fish, is it just in Australia that they are that expensive or everywhere? I've only been to the LFS so bare with me please when the priciest fish I've seen is $30 lmao

Yeah plecs are expensive here - grossly moreso than i ever paid in the UK.  Having said that I think what Luke quotes for the clowns seems a little over the top but it depnds on size i guess.

[Luke]

it looks more like that second one,

[Dan]

wow, that is expensive for a assistant fish, is it just in Australia that they are that expensive or everywhere? I've only been to the LFS so bare with me please when the priciest fish I've seen is $30 lmao

LOL, yes, some of the rare or exotic Plecos can be quite expensive.  I know that Clown, Zebra and Tiger Plecos are really expensive around here, whenever I get the pleasure of seeing them.  Hard to come by though, in certain areas.

[Ezekial]

LOL, yes, some of the rare or exotic Plecos can be quite expensive.  I know that Clown, Zebra and Tiger Plecos are really expensive around here, whenever I get the pleasure of seeing them.  Hard to come by though, in certain areas.

Rarer plecos are spendy here in Minnesota too.  My Royal was 3" and $40.  Clowns are around that range and i never see zebras anymore but i want to say they are usually more.  I remember i saw what was listed as a mango pleco once, he was about 10" long and they had him listed at $150. 

[Cory]

I was looking at a cute little guy at the LFS (Minnestoa again) last month or so, he was then identified as a Golden Nuget Pleco and they wanted $120 for a less than two inch fish.  They had quite a few as well.  No way I would put something that small in with any of my cichlids, and I didn't have the cabbage either.  But he was cute, maybe if I make it to millionaire status....

[Dan]

LOL, yes, some of the rare or exotic Plecos can be quite expensive.  I know that Clown, Zebra and Tiger Plecos are really expensive around here, whenever I get the pleasure of seeing them.  Hard to come by though, in certain areas.

Rarer plecos are spendy here in Minnesota too.  My Royal was 3" and $40.  Clowns are around that range and i never see zebras anymore but i want to say they are usually more.  I remember i saw what was listed as a mango pleco once, he was about 10" long and they had him listed at $150. 

WOW!!!!

Joe, I think it`s safe to say, if only we were all rich, LOL. It pretty much goes the same around here in Philly.

[cichlidfinder]

I'd probably be rich if I'd stop buying plecos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I paid $0.99 per spot on my last pleco.  I quess I know why they call them gold nuggets.

[Frank]

I want a zebra.....hardly ever see them anymore, rarely.  They go for about 150US...there's a store in town that has them from time to time, it's just about a 25 mile drive from my home and in ghetto-ville so I don't go out that way much.  Still, I'd pay the green for one.  It's a good thing I live so far away from that aquarium.

[Cory]

I was looking at a cute little guy at the LFS (Minnestoa again) last month or so, he was then identified as a Golden Nuget Pleco and they wanted $120 for a less than two inch fish.  They had quite a few as well.  No way I would put something that small in with any of my cichlids, and I didn't have the cabbage either.  But he was cute, maybe if I make it to millionaire status....

So I was in another LFS the other day and saw some Gold Nuggets at $40, much better but still too high for a cichlid snack.  I did get a nice little sailfin plec at $7, to keep in my ten gallon until I decide what to do with it.  don't remember seeing anythgin but albino, sailfin, bushy nose pleco for sale.  Well there was one huge one about 18 inches long and what looked to be five inches wide in the Koi pond.

[Maddy mad man]

Got myself a 2 inch clown pleco today for $50 AUD - reckon i did pretty well!

[Tim]

Thinking of getting a pleco. Are they easy? Just add water?