Royal pleco
Panaque nigrolineatus
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Recommended tank
- 400 L
- Maximum size
- 35 cm
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The royal pleco from northern South America is blue-grey with wavy dark lines and has striking red eyes. It belongs to the true wood eaters: with spoon-shaped teeth it rasps wood daily, and it needs that wood for its digestion.
Without a substantial piece of driftwood in the tank this species simply does badly, however much else you feed it. It grows large, produces a lot of waste and claims its own cave over the years, so plan for a big tank with strong filtration.
Good to know
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.