PlanetCatfish.com - Panaqolus nocturnus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Adult
Dorsal view of head
Ventral view of head
Original DATZ L326
Adult, from near type locality
Dorsal view
Mouth

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Panaqolus nocturnus** (Schaefer & Stewart, 1993)
Common Names	L329, Dusky Panaque Natsugemalle (Denmark), Night Pleco
Type Locality	Río Santiago near la Poza, Río Marañón basin, 4°01'24''S, 77°45'06''W, Depart. Amazonas, Peru.
Synonym(s)	Panaque nocturnus
Pronunciation	pan ack oh luss - nock-turn-us
Etymology	Panaqolus: Inelegantly derived from the indigenous term Panaque and in a form that infers a smaller size than that genus. The specific epithet nocturnus refers to the night, presumably because the fish is mainly nocturnal.
Species Information
Size	139mm or 5.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The typical colour pattern is overall darkly coloured with very indistinct patterning consisting of blotches on the body and faint bands in the caudal. Younger fishes or individuals (perhaps stressed) can show more distinct banding in the fins. Given this range in colouration, it is difficult to distinguish between juvenile individuals and the sympatric species Panaqolus gnomus in the field. (Lujan, pers. comm, 2020).
Sexing	Like all members of the genus, males grow elongated interopercular odontodes during the breeding season. Males develop noticeable odontodes along the dorsum (back of the body) as well. Males develop small pointed genital papillae, whereas mature females will have large, rounded, swollen papillae. Additionally, gravid females have noticeably wider bodies between the pectoral and pelvic fins when viewed from above, compared to males.
General Remarks	In the Marañon River, Panaqolus nocturnus was the most abundant loricariid on coarse woody debris dams near Santa Maria de Nieva.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Santiago and Pastaza River basins in upper Napo drainage. Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Pastaza (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Upper Marañón, Santiago (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2014.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	This genus feeds on wood, and should have several pieces, preferably several kinds of wood to chew on. Aside from wood, a mainly vegetarian diet is recommended, prepared food such as algae wafers and fresh vegetables, such as courgette (zucchini) and tubers such as potato or sweet potato (yams). User data.
Furniture	Rock piles are optional and wood tangles are a must. Plants are not vital and will be nibbled or destroyed.
Suggested Tankmates	Works well with most types of peaceful community fish. Can be somewhat territorial towards conspecifics, but given enough hiding spaces, a group can be kept in a suitable size aquarium - roughly requiring a 30 x 30cm area per fish.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters v. 4 (no. 4), pp 330, Fig. 15.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
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Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2023 Aug 12 04:40 (species record created: 2007 Feb 13 22:50)