How many species are "Royal?"

[jp11biod]

Most of my experience with the hoppy, I thought a Royal Plec was a single species but it now appears there are several. Is there a list of species that fall under that category?

I am hoping to find a Royal Pleco that stays small.

pls and thx

JS

[Birger]

The fish in the below link are all in the genus Panaque...which anything using "royal plec" in its common name as you are using it is in this genus.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/ge ... enus_id=27

Birger

[jp11biod]

thanks Birger -- so it looks like only four species, as I see them, and they all get huge.

I will have to investigate some of the other Panaque, some mighty handsome fish in that group --

JS

[jeremybasch]

The royal plecos as they are known are probably a group of more than 4 species. Even the so called watermelon plecos are closely related to royals. The saying, "appearances can be deceiving" applies here and you cannot go on coloration alone. And I am sure there are discoveries yet to be made with these large growing plecos!

Jeremy

[David R]

I guess it depends if you mean species in the true sense (scientifically described) of which there are only three (I think? P. nigrolineatus, P. ambrusteri, P. titan) or just variants, of which there are many many more that haven't yet been described and may be absorbed into existing species or described individually as new species.

Pretty sure all of them get big [eventually]...

[Scleropages]

While not a "royal pleco", I would highly recommend

Panaque sp(l204)

as a beautiful panaque that does not get large. You can even keep this particular species in high pH water. I've kept them in the past in my riverine tank and there was nothing special I had to do for them--besides keep a lot of driftwood in the tank and drop some zucchini or romaine lettuce in a couple times a week--which holds true for most panaque.

[jp11biod]

thanks everyone-- good advice

I do have 4 L204's and they are beautiful and fun to watch.

I just picked up a FREE 6' 150 g tank and I think I am going to fill it up with woodeaters

any advice other than good filtration and lots of different wood?

I have detected that hypancistrus and peckoltia should probably not be kept with Panaque? Is this a good rule to live by?

[Scleropages]

One recommendation I have is to remember to keep an eye on your pH. When you have a tank full of wood eating fish, the pH tends to go south in a hurry. I recommend putting crushed coral or dolomite in one of your filters in order to help buffer the pH.