Care and Compatibility of Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus


Introduction

The Panaque Nigrolineatus (Panaque nigrolineatus), also known as Royal Pleco, is a species of catfish native to South America, specifically the Orinoco River and Magdalena River basins. It is characterized by its robust body and vibrant colors. It has a pattern of dark stripes and light spots on a dark background, giving it a striking appearance in the aquarium. It is appreciated for both its beauty and its function in aquarium maintenance. Its diet is primarily based on wood and vegetation, so it is important to provide them with driftwood and roots for feeding and tooth wear. In captivity, it requires a spacious aquarium with hiding places and good water quality.

Behavior

The Panaque Nigrolineatus is a territorial and peaceful fish. Although it may be somewhat shy at first, it becomes more confident over time and can display territorial behavior towards other fish of its species. It is an excellent algae eater as it primarily feeds on wood and vegetation. By scraping on logs and rocks, it helps to keep the aquarium clean of algae and promotes a healthy environment. It is important to provide them with driftwood and roots in the aquarium to satisfy their need to wear down their teeth. Overall, it is a peaceful fish and gets along well with other peaceful species in a community aquarium.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Panaque nigrolineatus is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both sexes have a similar appearance.

Reproduction

Breeding Panaque Nigrolineatus in captivity is challenging and has not been successfully achieved on many occasions. In the wild, they breed in caves and holes in tree trunks. Egg laying occurs in these caves, and the parents guard and protect the eggs until they hatch. In the aquarium, providing suitable driftwood and caves can stimulate breeding behavior, but optimal conditions and a compatible pair are necessary for success.

Aquarium Conditions

Panaque nigrolineatus, commonly known as the royal pleco or royal plecostomus, requires a spacious aquarium with rocks, driftwood, and hiding spots. It prefers soft to moderately hard water and a warm temperature. Aquarium décor should include large driftwood and flat stones for scraping. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a varied diet.

Feeding

The Panaque Nigrolineatus is a herbivorous fish that primarily feeds on wood and vegetation. In the aquarium, they can be offered high-quality driftwood and roots for them to scrape and wear down their teeth. Additionally, vegetable foods such as slices of zucchini, spinach, and algae in specialized tablets for herbivorous fish can be provided. It is important to provide a balanced diet that includes these vegetable elements and to ensure good water quality.

Complexity

Caring for Panaque nigrolineatus can be moderately challenging. They are peaceful fish but can be sensitive to stress and water conditions. They require a high-fiber diet, so it's important to provide them with hard wood to gnaw on and feed. It's recommended to keep them in groups of at least three individuals and provide a varied diet.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Panaque nigrolineatus (Royal Pleco) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Panaque nigrolineatus (Royal Pleco) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Royal Pleco with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 148 species compatible with the Panaque nigrolineatus (Royal Pleco) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (148)

Compatible (111 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Red-tailed Catfish - Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Red-tailed Catfish

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Red Terror Fish - Mesoheros festae

Red Terror Fish

Mesoheros festae

Black bullhead - Ameiurus melas

Black bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Satena Pike Cichlid - Crenicichla strigata Günther

Satena Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla strigata Günther

Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Rio Grande cichlid - Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Rio Grande cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Midas king fish - Amphilophus citrinellus

Midas king fish

Amphilophus citrinellus

Flowerhorn cichlid - Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Green Terror - Andinoacara rivulatus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Commando Cichlid - Nimbochromis venustus

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis - Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Convict Cichlid - Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Red-tailed Black Shark - Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Jewel Cichlid - Hemichromis lifalili

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis lifalili

Melanochromis auratus - Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Bicolor Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Bicolor Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Neon Spot fish - Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Neon Spot fish

Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Agassiz's Apistogramma - Apistogramma Agassizii

Agassiz's Apistogramma

Apistogramma Agassizii

Hatchet Fish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Hatchet Fish

Thoracocharax stellatus

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Wasp Goby - Brachygobius Xanthozona

Wasp Goby

Brachygobius Xanthozona

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Ember Tetra - Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ruby Tetra - Axelrodia riesei

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Jaguar Cichlid - Parachromis managuensis

Jaguar Cichlid

Parachromis managuensis

Butterfly Peacock Bass - Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Pez Cachama - Piaractus brachypomus

Pez Cachama

Piaractus brachypomus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Cardinal Tetra - Paracheirodon axelrodi

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Medaka Fish - Oryzias latipes

Medaka Fish

Oryzias latipes

Dwarf Swordtail - Heterandria formosa

Dwarf Swordtail

Heterandria formosa

Pez ventosa de borneo - Sewellia lineolata

Pez ventosa de borneo

Sewellia lineolata

Similar Sizes (3 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Weather Loach - Misgurnus spp

Weather Loach

Misgurnus spp

With Reservation (7 Species)

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead - Channa aurantimaculata

Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Nile Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma borellii

Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma borellii

Elephant Fish - Gnathonemus petersii

Elephant Fish

Gnathonemus petersii

Myanmar Darío - Dario sp Myanmar

Myanmar Darío

Dario sp Myanmar

Socolofi Cichlid - Pseudotropheus socolofi

Socolofi Cichlid

Pseudotropheus socolofi

Filamentous Tetra - Dicrossus filamentosus

Filamentous Tetra

Dicrossus filamentosus

Considerable size difference (27 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Bala Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Mije Fish - Leporinus fasciatus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Archerfish - Toxotes jaculatrix

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon

Blue Acara

Satanoperca daemon

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Celestial eye goldfish - Carassius auratus V

Celestial eye goldfish

Carassius auratus V

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus
  • Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
  • Temperature (c°): 24 - 28
  • Measures: 25 cm - 40cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    120 Liters - 32 Gallons
  • Alimentación: Herbivores
  • Colores: Black, Brown
  • Comportamiento: Likes to take refuge, Night, Peaceful, Territorial
  • Morfología: Cuirass or Carapace, Thorns or pointed
  • Preferencias del Acuario: Caves, Logs, Natural plants, Rocks, Sand
  • Tamaño: Big, Small
  • Taxonomía: Fish
  • Tipo de Agua: Sweet water, Tropical waters
  • Velocidad de nado o movimiento: Slow
  • Zona de Nado: Aquarium background