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Clown panaque (Panaqolus maccus) — Loricariidae

Clown panaque

Panaqolus maccus
Family: Loricariidae

The Clown panaque (Panaqolus maccus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Venezuela

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Description

The clown panaque is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Apure and Orinoco region in Venezuela. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body with alternating brown and orange crossbands and a broad sucker mouth with spoon-shaped teeth. As a bottom-dweller it rasps wood growth and algae from driftwood, which it also partly digests. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clown panaque?

The Clown panaque has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Clown panaque live?

The Clown panaque lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Venezuela

How big does the Clown panaque get?

The Clown panaque grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Clown panaque dangerous to humans?

No, the Clown panaque is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Clown panaque (Panaqolus maccus) — Loricariidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) iacomaner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Clown panaque (Panaqolus maccus) — Loricariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) estmtz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Clown panaque sourced
Scientific name
Panaqolus maccus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Panaqolus

More from the family Loricariidae

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