Panaque and similar Plecos Panaque spp.
There are several similar Panaque plecos, many called some combination of Royal and Lines. This is thought to be one of the
Black Lines Royal Panaques, Panaque sp. cf nigrolineatus, but there are several of those (mainly L027a,b,c,d).
Many similar species remain undescribed. They are all native to Amazon and Orinoco tributaries.
These are also called Royal and Blacklined, Panaque nigrolineatus, but have narrower lines and two have rounder
dorsal fins. All are mainly nocturnal and can grow to over 40cm. They have small flaps over the nostrils and underside sucker mouths.
Diet is mainly plant matter but, unusually, includes wood which is important for their health and which they can digest.
This panaque is usually called the Gold Royal Panaque or the Goldline Araguaia, Panaque sp. cf ambrusteri.
It is native to the Rio Araguaia in Brazil. It also eats wood.
This is said to be Panaque sp. L330, recently described as Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, of Colombia.
Called the Spotted Panaque, in its adult form it looks less spotted than some others.
The Papa Panaque, Panaque bathyphilus, (L090), are large, armoured, nocturnal catfish growing to
some 40cm long. Amazonian and with flowing, threadfin tails, their diet is also algae and wood.
This monster armoured catfish looks like an elephant (with trunk and ears). It is said to be the
Imperial Panaque, another of the panaque species yet to be described by science. Nocturnal, Amazonian and wood-eating.
The Colombian Blue-eyed Panaque, Panaque cochliodon, of the Cauca and Magdalena River basins
of Colombia reaches 30cm (1 foot) long. The Venezuelan Blue-eyed, P. suttonorum, of Rio Negro basin/Maracaibo is similar.