Plecostomus Royal Panaque L190 (Panaque nigrolineatus)
This striking pleco is native to fast-flowing, rocky rivers of the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela, where it clings to submerged wood and rock in areas of moderate to strong current.
It has a robust, armoured body patterned with bold black stripes or squiggles over a grey to brown base, and is one of the larger plecos commonly kept in the hobby.
Like other Panaque species, the Royal Pleco is a genuine wood-eater, using specialised teeth and gut flora to digest driftwood as part of its diet, so driftwood must always be available in the aquarium.
Generally peaceful with other species, it can become territorial towards other plecos, particularly its own kind, so tank mates should be chosen with this in mind.
Care
Fish size: up to 43cm
Tank size: 500 litres minimum
Temperature: 24-28℃
pH: 6.5-7.5
Filtration: strong filtration required due to high bio-load from wood digestion
Diet: driftwood is essential, alongside algae wafers, sinking herbivore pellets and blanched vegetables such as courgette, cucumber and peas
Plecostomus Royal Panaque L190
Pleco Care
Plecos are not all the same. Adult size, diet, temperature, water movement and aquarium requirements vary considerably between species.
Before buying, check the requirements for the exact pleco species you are considering.
For full care information, see our:
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