Royal Pleco 

Panaque nigrolineatus

Native Location: Venezuela

Climate: Tropical

Size: 43cm

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Moderate

Temperature Range: 20-30℃ (71.6-86℉)

Preferred pH Range: 6.5 - 7.5

Minimum Aquarium Size: 300l for a single fish, 500 for a pair 

Potential Tankmates: Tetras, Guppies, Apistogramma, dwarf cichlids, Angel cichlids

Care Level: Easy

The ‘Panaque’ pleco is one of those fish that is almost always going to catch the attention of your aquarium onlookers. With brightly coloured eyes and vivid stripes along the entire length of their body, it's no wonder they are highly sought after among catfish enthusiasts. 

In their natural habitat, the Royal Pleco can be found grazing on sunken branches using their perfectly designed teeth to gradually wrasp on surface of the softened wood. Their diet will consist of a mixture of wood, vegetation and small crustaceans. A panaque in the home aquarium will happily accept dry algae & wood tablets and other quality Vegetable-based dry foods.

One of the great things about these beautiful fish is the relatively easy care requirements. Additionally, due to their non-aggressive demeanour, they make excellent members of a simple community aquarium and pose no threat to other fish, instead opting to hide away until feeding times.

Breeding, although no official information has been published, has been reported among hobbyists. It has been known to happen in larger mature aquariums without any interference from the fishkeeper. 

To make an active attempt to breed the Royal pleco we advise adding a pair to a dedicated aquarium and lots of hiding places. With low lighting, higher temperatures and a reduced water level to mimic a dry season. Gradually topping up the water level with cooler water after two weeks. The provision of high-quality protein and veg foods should be offered throughout.

All our fish are quarantined on arrival for two weeks. During this time, they are treated for any possible diseases and given a complete health check  to make sure they are health, happy and eating well before being placed in our display aquariums, ready for sale.

Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy: In the unfortunate event that your fish arrives dead, please follow these steps: Within 12 hours of the delivery, take clear, unopened bag pictures showing the deceased fish. Send these photographs and your order number to our customer service email at [email protected] or to our Facebook page and we will then offer a refund or store credit for the cost of the fish. 

Two-Week Guarantee Policy: We stand behind the health and quality of our fish, which is why we offer a two-week guarantee starting from the day of delivery. If your fish dies within this time frame, adhere to the following procedure: Take clear photos of the deceased fish. Using a reliable test kit, document via a dated photo, water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels). Please email us the photographs, water parameters, and order number to [email protected] or our Facebook page. After reviewing your claim, if approved, we will issue a store credit for the cost of the fish. Our two-week guarantee does not cover fish deaths due to unsuitable water conditions, incompatible tank mates or “disasters” i.e. a heater overheating. We recommend thoroughly researching each fish species' needs before introducing them to your aquarium to prevent such situations. 

 Freight Charges: Please note that shipping or freight charges are non-refundable under all circumstances. We hope this guide makes our refund and guarantee process more understandable. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We are always happy to assist. Thank you for choosing The Fish Room. Happy fish keeping!