Royal Pleco, lat. Panaque nigrolineatus- Panaque nigrolineatus distribution
Family: Loricariidae;
Genus: Panaque;
Species and synonyms: Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus, Royal Pleco, Royal Panaque, L190, Chaetostomus nigrolineatus, Black-lined Panaque).
GBIF:
Royal Pleco (lat. Panaque nigrolineatus) is a species of ray-finned fish from the order Siluriformes, family Loricariidae, genus Panaque. One of the largest and most beautiful representatives of armored catfish, known as the "royal pleco."
Distribution. The natural range of the Royal Pleco covers rivers and lakes of South America, mainly in the Orinoco and Amazon basins in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. The fish prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters with sandy or rocky bottoms, often found in rivers, lakes, floodplain water bodies with dense vegetation and plenty of driftwood.
Care requirements. The Royal Pleco is a large catfish, growing up to 30–40 cm in the aquarium and up to 43 cm in the wild. For keeping a single specimen, an aquarium of at least 200 liters with a length of 120 cm is required. Optimal water parameters: temperature 22–28°C, hardness 2–15 dGH, pH 6.2–7.5. Powerful filtration with moderate flow, good aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are necessary. Sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood (softwood that the catfish will gnaw on is essential), stones and shelters are placed at the bottom. Plants should have tough leaves or be potted.
Royal Plecos are herbivorous fish, feeding on algae, detritus and wood in the wild. They are one of the few fish capable of digesting wood thanks to symbiotic bacteria in their intestines. In the aquarium, their diet should consist of high-quality sinking pellets for herbivorous catfish, spirulina, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, lettuce), as well as softwood driftwood (apple, plum). It is important to ensure a constant supply of driftwood for proper digestion. Feed should be 1–2 times a day in small portions.
In the aquarium, Royal Plecos are active in the lower water layers, often attaching to glass, stones and driftwood. They are peaceful towards large fish, but may show territoriality towards other bottom-dwelling fish. It is recommended to keep them singly or in a large group with plenty of hiding places. Recommended tankmates include large peaceful fish (angelfish, geophagus, large tetras). It is not recommended to keep them with small fish or with other large catfish that may compete for territory.
Breeding in home aquariums is extremely difficult and rarely occurs in hobby aquariums. Royal Plecos are egg-laying fish, but spawning requires special conditions and hormonal stimulation. Sexual differences are weakly expressed: males are slimmer and more brightly colored, with spines on the pectoral fins. In the aquarium hobby, most fish come from the wild or specialized farms.
The Royal Pleco gets its name from its characteristic coloration: the body is light gray or yellowish with distinct black longitudinal stripes, red eyes, and a contrasting stripe along the edge of the fins. Males have brighter coloration and are slimmer than females. It is one of the most popular and large catfish, requiring a spacious aquarium and careful care. Life expectancy is 10–15 years.