Royal Panaque
Panaque nigrolineatus
Family : Loricariidae
The Royal Panaque is a large freshwater catfish known for its distinctive black stripes and wood-based diet.
Description
This fish has a robust body and a beige to gray coloration with longitudinal black lines. Its sucker mouth is equipped with rasp-like teeth for scraping wood. It can reach a size of 30-40 cm in aquariums. It is a peaceful species but can become territorial with age. It is mainly nocturnal and spends the day hiding. It is known for its ability to digest cellulose thanks to specialized gut flora. In aquariums, it requires a large water volume.
Habitat
Region :
Rivers and tributaries of the Orinoco and Amazon basins
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
A tank of at least 400 liters is necessary for an adult. Water should be soft to moderately hard (GH 2-10), acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5) and at a temperature of 24-28°C. Driftwood is essential in the diet and must be present at all times. Supplement with blanched vegetables, herbivore pellets, and occasionally protein foods. Nitrates should be kept below 20 mg/L. Powerful filtration and weekly water changes are recommended. This species is compatible with large peaceful fish. Avoid small fish that might be intimidated.
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