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I am looking to buy a Royal Panaque. He? is 2.5" at present and will grow to 12"?. How long will it take to grow to that length (heard 10yrs)? How long do they live for (heard 30 yrs)?
I want to ensure i can look after such a beautiful fish!

Steve

HI!

Yes it will take him some times to grwo to that size but actually don't know how many, as it will depend on several factors, if you feed him well, give him a big enough tank and make regular water change to keep the water pollution low it should grow rather "fast" . 10 yrs seems to me way to much!!!!
the Lifespan for such fish should be at least of 20 yrs!!!!

Cheers
Yann

Water changes definitely a must. Probably power feeding as well. Make sure that leftovers are discarded.

Feed lots of vegetable material, such as slices of cucumber and courgette (zucchini) for the best health and growth. They are vegetarian even by pleco standards.

hi chrysichthys,
do u need to boil the slices of cucumber and courgette (zucchini) before u drop it into the tank???

12 inches is a bit conservative for the potential size that royal plecos can attain. I saw a recently imported one that was easily 18 inches from head to tail, and was about 8 inches across his head. He was beautiful. He was at a store called Jumbo Fish, in Wichita, Kansas, 3 or 4 years ago. Then again, many people say fish won't grow to their full potential in aquariums, such as arowana, or discus, while african cichlids will far surpass the size they would have attained in nature. Its all confusing

Barbie

Hi!

Depending on the Nigrolineatus we are speaking of!!!! Some seem to get bigger and others seem to grow not as long, depending of the "colour" ( Species????) form

Cheers
Yann

Richard Hardwick of Wharf Aquatics in Pinxton has a near on 2 ft specimen, although it was quite large when aquired (from the wild). I have a 3" youngster which I obtained about 5 wks. back and I am observing 'him' for growth rate (yes, they are slow growers)! I wouldn't expect mine to get more than 12-13" though unless It ends up in a huge tank with twice weekly water changes and a rich, varied diet... but then again, if it has been captive bred through hormone injection in Indonesia or Eastern Europe would it really get that big anyway? And whatever it gets to feed on in captivity, it will never match a 'natural' diet, for all the vegetables that it gets fed in captivity, I am still under the impression that these fish require a little protein in their diet, the odd prawn here and ther perhaps?
On the veggie front, don't worry about boiling courgette/zuccini... it is fairly easy for them to rasp as it is. Also try the add bit of raw potato to their diet (carbohydrate) and a bit of protein (prawn) making sure you remove leftovers after a few hours due to pollution possibilities. Also shelled boiled peas are meant to be enjoyed (I'm yet to try them)!