💨 Smokey Pleco (Panaque sp., L009)
Smokey • Large Pleco • Wood Eater
 
📋 The Smokey Pleco (Panaque sp., L009) is a large and striking pleco named for its smokey gray to dark charcoal coloration. Subtle variations in shading give it a misty, cloud-like appearance, making it unique among the Panaque group.
Reaching 25–30 cm (10–12"), it is a large-bodied pleco that requires a spacious aquarium. Like other Panaque, it is a wood-eating specialist, needing constant access to driftwood for grazing and digestion. Its powerful teeth allow it to rasp on wood, algae, and biofilm, making it both a functional and ornamental addition to aquariums.
Generally peaceful but territorial with other large plecos, the Smokey Pleco does best in well-oxygenated, flowing water with strong filtration. Its smokey appearance, large size, and specialized diet make it a collector’s pleco prized by advanced aquarists.
 
💡 Highlights
💨 Smokey Appearance: Misty gray to dark charcoal coloration
📏 Large Size: Reaches 25–30 cm (10–12")
🪵 Wood-Eating Specialist: Requires driftwood for digestion
✅ Peaceful but Territorial: Gets along with most fish, defends territory from other plecos
💎 Collector’s Pleco: Striking and uncommon Panaque species