Royal Pleco care guide
Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus) is a large loricariid catfish from the Orinoco and middle Amazon basins. The species is among the few fishes capable of digesting wood via specialised gut microflora and requires driftwood in its diet.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Panaque
- Scientific name: Panaque nigrolineatus
- Common synonyms: Royal Panaque
Habitat
Native to rocky main channels and tributaries of the Orinoco and middle Amazon river systems in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Peru, in moderately to strongly flowing water rich in submerged wood.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (105.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 25-40 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
Diet
An omnivore that consumes large amounts of plant material and wood. Provide ample driftwood for grazing, supplemented with sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, sweet potato) and occasional protein foods.
Compatibility
A relatively peaceful but territorial bottom-dweller. Keep one per aquarium in a tank of at least 400 L unless space and visual barriers allow multiple specimens. Compatible with robust mid- and large-sized peaceful species; avoid other Panaque.
Breeding
Captive breeding is rare and largely confined to specialised setups with cave structures and strong flow.
Royal Pleco Breeding Guide (Panaque nigrolineatus)
Overview
The Royal Pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus, is a large loricariid catfish that reaches about 43 cm standard length. It is native to the Orinoco and Amazon basins in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, and is one of the few fish able to eat and digest wood through symbiotic gut bacteria.
Conditioning
Because no reproductive protocol is documented, the priority is long-term health rather than spawning. Young individuals often arrive undernourished and need dedicated care to recover. The diet must include driftwood, which the species grazes and digests with symbiotic gut bacteria.
Common Challenges
The species is primarily nocturnal and shy under light, and requires a suitable resting area such as a cave or large piece of wood. With breeding not achieved in captivity, hobbyists should focus on providing correct husbandry and a large, well-filtered tank rather than expecting a spawn.