Panaque nigrolineatus

Published / Updated

Information

This hardy pleco is a South American Loricariidae that is found in the Orinoco and Amazon basins, native to Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. There are several variates of this species that are not yet described. For example the Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabiana (previously known as Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'watermelon pleco') is recently (2020) proposed to be recognized as a distinct subspecies. There is a slight chance that the species described here actually being a Panaque armbrusteri (in my opinion this chance is very low).

Varieties

  • Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'Tapajos'
  • Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'Watermelon pleco'
  • Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'Olive pleco'
  • Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'Tocantins'
  • Panaque sp. cf. nigrolineatus 'Xingu'

Care tips

  • Wood-eater thus provide bog-wood
  • Herbivore
  • Mainly plant-based diet
  • Enjoys (tinned) peas
  • Can become territorial
  • Will produce a lot of waste
  • Needs well oxygenated water
  • Good filtration is mandatory

Panaque nigrolineatus is also known by Royal pleco, Royal panaque, Royal plec and L190.

Below you can find photo and video collection of the Royal pleco I have cared for. Make sure your Panaque is not malnourished.

Please contact me if the provided information is faulty.

Photo gallery

This photo gallery contains images. Photos were taken between 2006 and 2008. Latest photos are always at the top. Click on each image for full-screen view.

Video gallery

Video gallery is empty for this species.