PlanetCatfish.com - Panaque nigrolineatus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Close-up of interopercular spines
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Sub-adult
Close-up of mouth
Close-up of mouth
Fry found living on submerged tree leaves
Habitat: Juveniles can be found on submerged wood
Underwater
From the Rio Tinaco, Est. Cojedes, Venezuela
Adult and juvenile - showing contrast in pattern
Rio Apure
Rio Apure
Pale colouration of previously normal individual
Juvenile
Rio Apure, 72.7mm SL (ANSP198884)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Panaque nigrolineatus** (Peters, 1877)
Common Names	L190, Royal Pleco Rødøjet Kongesugemalle (Denmark), Schwarzlinien-Harnischwels (Germany), Stribet Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Guárico River at Calabozo, Apure River drainage, Guárico State, Venezuela.
Synonym(s)	Chaetostomus nigrolineatus
Pronunciation	pan ah KAY. - nih GRO lin e AT us
Etymology	The generic epithet "panaque" is a Venezuelan common name for this fish. nigro = black; lineatus = lines or stripes alluding to the fishes black stripes.
Articles	- CotM 1999 May
Species Information
Size	430mm or 16.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The genus Panaque is identified by the teeth, which are spoon-shaped. This means that the teeth are noticeably wider at the tip than at the base. Other loricariidae have teeth that are similar width all the way from one end to the other. A second distinguishing feature is the lack of a buccal papilla, which is a "flap of skin" on the inside of the mouth. See pictures in this PDF on Pterygoplichthys. These fish are imported in all sizes and in a number of colour forms. Interestingly the colour of the eye varies from bright orange to dull red. Although described from Venezuelan material, the colour forms that have given rise to L027 are from different locations such as the Rio Tocantins, Xingú and Tapajos, Brazil. It appears that the juveniles of Brazilian populations have solid or plain as opposed to barred caudal fin rays. So, a juvenile with barred caudal fin rays is from Colombian or Venezuelan stock.
Sexing	Undocumented, although with most ancistrine plecos the genital papilla of the female is round and blunt, that of the male by comparison is smaller and pointed. It is not known at what size this method of sexing can be used on Royal Plecos.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Orinoco and southern middle and lower Amazon River tributaries. Amazon, Lower Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes) (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Apure, Guarico (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 2020.
pH	6.5 - 7.5
Temperature	22.0-30.0°C or 71.6-86°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Classic ''pleco diet'' of greens. Can be acclimatized onto most vegetables; tinned peas seem a favourite. The fish also appear to eat bogwood. Some prepared foods should also be offered to supplement this diet. User data.
Furniture	Bogwood is essential - both for dietary reasons and because it seems to be the Royal Pleco's preferred hide-out - although any suitably sized dark refuge will be utilized. When larger, Royal Plecos will re-arrange the tank to their own liking; ensure rocks are well secured and cannot be toppled against the glass.
Compatibility	Territorial with conspecifics and other similarly sized catfish although otherwise peaceful with smaller fish. This fish can be a fussy feeder and only once it is feeding well should be mixed with large, boisterous fish.
Suggested Tankmates	Most community fish, this fish is very secretive and so you will want more active fish around to provide something to watch.
Breeding	No published information exists, but I have heard that the fish has been spawned in captivity using some form of tube in a large tank (approx. 125 US Gallons). A false dry season of two weeks (low, warm, still water) was used. Then the tank was topped off with cooler rainwater (refilling about 80%). Lots of meaty and veggie foods were offered. The pair spawned within days.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1877, pp 471, Unnumbered pl. following p. 556.
Registered Keepers	There are 322 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 6 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 67 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2022 Jan 19 09:58 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)