Clown Pleco?

[Mooch28]

Hey guys,

Any one have any experince with these guys if so what are the cons and pros of them? Im planning on getting one for my 72 gallon to clean up some algae here and there. How are they with other community fish, and how large do they often get? Also are they fast growing like other plecos? Finally are they good algae eaters?

Thanks.

[Archangel]

Terrible Algea Eaters. Most plecos are terrible algea eaters. Usually it's only juvenile plecos that eat algea and adults just graze from time to time. Controlling the amount your feeding your fish is your best be for controlling algea.

As to clowns, they're peaceful fish. Slow growers, stay quite small. Very shy. Won't be the most visible fish in the tank. They need wood in the tank, as they also eat wood. Any more Q's?

[Archangel]

Also, if you want a good algea eater, get a Bristlenose Pleco. It's one of the few that is good algea eater. Or get a school of Otos if they're compatible(small size) w/ the rest of your fish.

[Karnaaj]

I have three clown pleco's in my 65g planted tank and the only time I see them is when I'm cleaning or rearranging the tank. They are predominantly a meat eater.
Clown pleco's are not even pleco's. They are a species of Peckoltia. 99% of them are P. vittata.

[Archangel]

Actually, most clowns are Panaque maccus, not Peckoltia vittata.

Pecokltia vittata is also known as the Candy Striped Pleco, or L015
http://www.jjphoto.dk/fish_archive/aquarium/peckoltia_vittata_2x.jpg
Panaque maccus is known as the Clown Pleco, or Ringlet Pleco, or L104, L162, LDA22
http://www.akvarij.net/media%5Cribe%5Cpanaque_v.jpg

[Karnaaj]

I don't know what to think anymore about this fish. I have had three of them for nearly five years and they look just like the bottom picture. Yet mine have never shown any interest in eating wood even though there is plenty for them if they want it. Mine behave just like the description for P. vittata in planetcatfish. They love bloodworms, brine shrimp and any kind of sinking pellet. They are also fairly intolerant of their own kind. Supposedly P. macchus is not nearly as territorial. I give up.

[Dog]

I have had my clown pleco for almost 2 years. I didn't know they ate wood until a few weeks ago now it has plenty of wood and it is always eating it. Mine is very teritorial so much so that he chases my convicts when they get to close to it. Before I got the wood it would hide all day now it is very active and always moving around the tank and up against the front glass.

[Mooch28]

Alright thanks guys. I think im gonna try some ottos for my algae crew. I here they are excellent. I love the looks of the clown pleko, but if he aint gonna eat algae....no point.

[Archangel]

They're still fun little fish to keep. Fish you see all the time can get kind of bland and boring. Ones you rarely see make each sighting that much more special.