Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

A large, wood-digesting pleco with maze-like grey lines and red eyes (L190).

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

73–82°F

pH

6.5–7.5

Hardness

4–18 dGH

Max size

17 in

Min tank

125 gal

Temperament

Peaceful

Social

Solitary

Swim level

Bottom

Diet

Herbivore

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

10-20 years

Breeding

Cave-spawner

Suitability

Advanced

Origin

Orinoco and Amazon basins

Royals are among the true wood-eating plecos and need driftwood plus a very large tank. They grow slowly but ultimately large, so plan ahead.