👑 Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus, L190)
👑 Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus, L190)
Striped • Wood Eater • Showpiece
📋 The Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus L190) is one of the most distinctive plecos, known for its bold black-and-white striped body and massive head. Unlike most plecos, Royal Plecos are xylophages, meaning they actually eat and digest wood as a part of their diet.
This makes them unique algae grazers and detritivores for large aquariums. Reaching up to 17 inches, they require large tanks with heavy filtration. While peaceful toward most tank mates, they may be territorial with other plecos. Their striking patterns and rarity make them a true showpiece pleco for dedicated aquarists.
💡 Highlights
👑 Royal Stripes – Bold black & white lined pattern
🌳 Wood Eater – Needs driftwood to rasp on
⚫ Massive Head – Sturdy armored build
🐟 Peaceful Giant – Territorial only with plecos
✅ Showpiece Catfish – Rare & impressive
🧾 A Quick Look at the Royal Pleco (L190)
📛 Common Name: Royal Pleco, Royal Panaque, Broken Line Pleco
🔬 Scientific Name: Panaque nigrolineatus
👨👩👧 Family: Loricariidae
🌍 Origin: South America – Amazon & Orinoco River Basins
📏 Max Size: 33 – 43 cm (13 – 17 inches)
💧 pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
🧠 Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
💖 Temperament: Peaceful, can be territorial
🏠 Min Tank Size: 400 L (100+ US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Bottom dweller
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes
⏳ Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
🍽️ Diet: Herbivore (xylophage) – eats wood, veggies, algae
🐣 Reproduction: Rare in aquariums
