{"product_id":"mega-clown-pleco-l340","title":"Mega Clown Pleco L340","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08em; color: #0a2a3a; border-bottom: 2px solid #3a7ca5; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 18px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003eMega Clown Pleco L340\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMega Clown Pleco L340\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eHypancistrus sp.\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the \u003cstrong\u003eImperial Tiger Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most visually striking small plecos available in the aquarium hobby — and one of the most sought-after by serious collectors. The body is covered in a bold, intricate maze-like pattern of black and cream-yellow markings that create a striking high-contrast pattern across every surface of the fish, including the fins. Unlike many commercially available plecos that grow to an unmanageable 12–18 inches, the Mega Clown Pleco reaches a maximum adult size of just 3–3.5 inches (8 cm) — making it a perfect fit for the planted aquarium without the destructive behavior and massive waste production of larger pleco species. Native to the middle Orinoco and Rio Tomo river basins of Colombia and Venezuela.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; background-color: #e0f0f8; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding: 14px 18px; color: #0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eSera Vipachips\u003c\/strong\u003e sinking wafers make excellent staples — pressed onto a smooth rock or the glass for the pleco to rasp on. Unlike common plecos, the Mega Clown is primarily a carnivore rather than an algae grazer: supplement 3 times per week with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets\u003c\/strong\u003e. Blanched zucchini and cucumber are also accepted. Feed after lights out when this nocturnal species is most active.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHypancistrus sp.\u003c\/em\u003e L340 is native to fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers in the Orinoco basin — conditions that should be replicated in the aquarium. Strong filtration, excellent water movement, and high dissolved oxygen are essential. Water temperature should be kept at the warmer end of the tropical range — 78–86°F — which reflects the warm Orinoco waters this species inhabits. Soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Regular water changes are critical; like all Hypancistrus, the L340 is sensitive to water quality degradation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eThe Mega Clown Pleco is a cave-spawning species — males will guard eggs and developing fry inside a cave or crevice. Provide multiple caves and hiding places, as each individual will establish its own territory around a preferred cave. Although territorial toward its own species, it is completely peaceful toward other fish and does not disturb plants. Will not control algae like common plecos — this is a carnivore-leaning omnivore, not a grazer. Safe with adult shrimp in most setups, though very small shrimp fry may be predated. These are large specimens at 8–13 cm — approaching or at full adult size, making them immediately impressive display fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #0a2a3a; border-top: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding-top: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eEasy to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — Territorial with Own Species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMaximum Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e3–3.5 inches (8 cm) — stays small permanently\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eThese Specimens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e8–13 cm — large, near-adult display fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e78–86°F (26–30°C) — warm water essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e4–12 dGH — soft to moderately hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eFlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eModerate to strong — well-oxygenated water required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher; Sera Vipachips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen Mysis Shrimp; blanched zucchini\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMiddle Orinoco \u0026amp; Rio Tomo basins — Colombia \u0026amp; Venezuela\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eNOT an effective algae eater — carnivore-leaning omnivore. Cave spawner — males guard fry. Stays permanently small at 3.5 inches max. Sensitive to water quality — strong filtration required. Rare collector's L-number pleco.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53092796727607,"sku":"Hypancistrus sp. L340","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/mega-clown-pleco-l340","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}