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Clown pleco

Freshwater Beginner Peaceful

Clown pleco grows to about 3.5 in and needs a tank of at least 20 US gal. Here's how to keep it healthy and what it lives well with.

Quick facts

Water type
Freshwater
Group
Catfish & loaches
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
Bottom
Adult size
3.5 in
Minimum tank
20 US gal
Min swim length
23.6 in
Group size
Fine on its own

Water parameters

Temperature
75–82 °F
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH

Tank & care

Clown pleco doesn't need a group and can be kept singly; choose tankmates to suit its temperament.

Give it at least 23.6 in of swimming length and hold the water around 75–82 °F. Match any new species to these ranges before adding them.

Plan a tank with this fish

Use the stocking calculator to see how many Clown pleco your tank can hold and whether your planned tankmates are compatible — it's anchored to your net water volume and footprint.

Open the stocking calculator Calculate tank volume

Figures are conservative hobby-consensus estimates for planning. Individual fish vary — always research a species and watch how yours behave.

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