|
|
|
Catfish
/ Loricariidae / Royal Panaque
Royal Panaque, Royal Plecostomus, Black-lined Panaque
Panaque nigrolineatus | Pictures
Synonyms: Chaetostomus
nigrolineatus, Cochliodon nigrolineatus
Physical description: The Royal Panaque is covered everywhere but the belly with large bony plates. The head
is large, broad, and flat. The mouth is on the underside of the head and is shaped like a suction cup. The body
color is black with long white to yellow stripe that extend the length of the body. The dorsal fin stands tall
when erect. The iris of healthy individuals is bright orange to red.
Size/Length: To 16" (40 cm)
Similar species: Hypostomus
and other
Panaque species.
Habitat: South America; the Putumayo River in Southern Columbia.
]S: bottom
Aquarium: 48" (122 cm) or a 55 or more gallon (209 L) tank is sufficient.
Provide
hiding places with slabs of rock, caves, wood, roots, and thickets of robust plants.
The tank should have a good filtration
system that produces a strong current.
Aerate the water well.
Water chemistry: pH 6.5-7.5 (7.0), 2-15 (10), 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Social behavior: Aggressive towards own species, but peaceful towards other fish.
Can be combined with small to large
fish.
A nocturnal species.
Suggested companions: Corydoras,
tetras, Discus,
Apistogramma
FOOD: Algae; fruit; vegetables; peas, spinach, lettuce; live; crustaceans, insect larvae.
Panaque species must have a large amount
of "green foods" in their diet or they may develop intestinal disorders.
Another result from lack of these foods
is that the fish will go after plants.
Sexual differences: Mature males are said to have thicker pectoral spines.
Breeding techniques: Unknown
Breeding potential: 10.
Breeding has not been accomplished in aquaria.
Remarks: This fish is often expensive.
Do not treat the water with medications, or do
so in small amounts.
The medications become concentrated in the algae, and when the fish eats these, it often
is poisoned to death.
These fish are also subject to intestinal disease if not fed the proper diet.
This
species grows slowly and is sensitive to changes in water chemistry.
Recently imported specimen often suffer
from malnutrition and as a result are hollow-bellied.
Thus it is important to offer them high-fiber foods in order for them
to recover.
Difficulty of care: 7.
The Royal Panaque is a challenging fish to care for, but well worth the effort with its
stunning color pattern.
They are sensitive to water quality and medications and are also subject to disease.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
