Mega Clown Pleco (L340)

Care at a glance

Overview

A dwarf pleco that suits a tank as small as 75 liters and often does well in small groups. Feed protein-rich foods such as sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and gel diets, not algae wafers as a mainstay. Peaceful in a community and one of the more visible plecos, since it spends less time hiding than most.

In the wild

Comes from warm, rocky, fast-moving Orinoco tributaries where it shelters in crevices and hunts through the substrate. It is a carnivore like other Hypancistrus, taking insect larvae and small invertebrates rather than grazing algae. Wants caves, oxygenated flowing water, and fine hiding spots.

Good to know

An undescribed Hypancistrus traded as L340 and also coded LDA19, wearing a dense maze of fine yellow and black lines. It stays small at around 8 to 9 cm and has a comparatively bold, outgoing personality for a pleco. Pattern varies between fish, from tight vermiculation to broader clown-like swirls.

Did you know

Its willingness to come out in daylight, unusual for a Hypancistrus, is a big part of why the mega clown stays popular despite the confusing pile of trade names.

Related species

• Colombian Zebra Pleco (L129)

  Hypancistrus debilittera

  3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  King tiger pleco (L066)

  Hypancistrus sp. L066

  5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)79–84°F (26–29°C)
• Orinoco Angel Pleco (L201)

  Hypancistrus sp. L201

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
• Snowball pleco (L102)

  Hypancistrus inspector

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (113 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Queen Arabesque Pleco (L260)

  Hypancistrus sp. L260

  3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Zebra pleco

  Hypancistrus zebra

  3.1 in (8 cm)15 gal (55 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)