All fish / Loricariidae

Snowflake Clown Pleco

Panaqolus nix

Also known as l465, l 465, snowflake pleco, snowflake clown pleco, nix pleco, white spot clown pleco, パナクォルス・ニクス, 雪花小精灵, L465

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A small dark grey to black pleco covered in fine white dots, described scientifically in 2016 after being traded as L465. It stays compact and is kept for its striking speckled look and its habit of rasping on wood.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 9 cm
Temperature: 24 to 30 °C
pH: 6 to 7.5
Smallest tank: 80 litres
Keep as: Single or a group with plenty of caves
Diet: Omnivore: soft bogwood, blanched vegetables, algae wafers, occasional frozen foods
Swims: Bottom of the tank
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years
Water: Freshwater
Wild range: Peru (Rio Ucayali drainage, upper Amazon basin)

Breeding

A cave spawner where the male guards eggs and larvae inside a tight cave. It has been bred in aquariums but is not common, needing clean, warm, well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

Needs plenty of driftwood in the diet and good flow with high oxygen; males can squabble over caves. Easily confused with other spotted Panaqolus species.