General information - The Royal pleco is one of the most astonishing

species of the catfish family. In its natural habitat the royal pleco found

in Jungle streams and river shorelines looking for food and hiding from

predators. The royal pleco is an attractive striped fish with shades of

green and brown colors. It can be kept only in large tanks due to its

huge size. The royal pleco is a common and popular species probably

because it is very effective as algae remover .Royal pleco has unique

mouth that allows them to do this scratching job. 

Common Name - Royal pleco, L190, L-191 

Scientific Name - Panaque nigrolineatus

Photo by: Balolo Shlomi

 Family - Loricariidae 

Origin - South America mainly in Venezuela 

Size – Up to 43 cm (17 in) 

First discovered – Peters, 1877 

Nutrition – Omnivore, the royal pleco feeds on vegetable matter. Frozen foods such as blood worms,

krill and mysis shrimp can be part of its diet too. Sinking wafers and "greens" such as Peas, spinach,

and cucumber are essential for this fish in order to complete its diet  

Behavior – Peaceful but aggressive towards is own species 

Maintenance and care – The Royal pleco will thrive in a 60 or more gallon tank. The tank must be

decorated with plenty of hiding places such as rocks, woods, roots and other common decoration.

This fish benefit from good filtration system with strong current.As tank mates it can and should be

kept with non aggressive fish and even with non aggressive cichlids such as guppies and other livebearers,

Corydoras, tetras, Discus, Apistogramma and ram cichlids. Catfish of same size should not house with

the royal pleco in the same tank as the royal pleco will become aggressive and territorial. 

Water Parameters – Temperature: 22C - 27C (71.6F - 80.6F), pH 6.7 - 7.5, dGH: 4 – 15  

Breeding – The female's genital papilla is rounded then the male papilla while the male genital papilla is

smaller and has a pointed shape. Although it is not a hard task to know their gender it is yet breed

in captivity.