Royal pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Scientific name: Panaque nigrolineatus

Common name: Royal pleco

Family: Loricariidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 40 - 47 cm (15.75 - 18.5 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.7 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 15°N (71.43 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 27 °C (71.6 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

Royal pleco needs a high vegetable diet. Use quality flake or pellets but add plenty of greens in the form of lettuce, spinach and they seem to love peas the most.

Origin

South America; Royal pleco’s are to be found in the waterways of Venezuela.

Sexing

There are no visible differences between the sexes; it is possible to sex them when they are mature by turning them over and looking at their vents. The females genital papilla will be round and blunted, in the male it will be smaller and have a pointed shape.

Breeding

There are no reported cases of this fish breeding in the aquarium.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Panaque nigrolineatus is 10 years.

Short description

Bog wood needs to be added to the tank, this not only provides their favoured hiding places, but they will gnaw at the wood to aid their digestion. Ensure that all of the tank décor is secure; when mature Panaque nigrolineatus will try to re-arrange things to its own suiting.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.