{"product_id":"l190-royal-pleco","title":"L190 \"Royal Pleco\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Pleco, Royal Panaque\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePanaque nigrolineatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Region:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colombia – Rio Magdalena and Rio Meta Basins\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wild Caught\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful \/ Semi-territorial\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore \/ Wood Grazer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently Feeding On:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/saburaiaquatics.com\/collections\/dry-goods\/products\/ebo-spirulina-tabs\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEBO Spirulina Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/saburaiaquatics.com\/collections\/dry-goods\/products\/ebo-spirulina-supersoft\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEBO Spirulina Softgran\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/saburaiaquatics.com\/collections\/dry-goods\/products\/ebo-mussel-sticks\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEBO Mussel Sticks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottom\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1+\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Royal Pleco (\u003cem\u003ePanaque nigrolineatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most iconic and recognizable plecos in the aquarium hobby. Its striking red eyes, striping, and large, heavily armored appearance make it a standout addition to a well-established freshwater aquarium. Individual patterning can vary, making each Royal Pleco uniquely attractive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the major river systems of Colombia, Royal Plecos inhabit warm, flowing waters where submerged wood, rocks, and other hard surfaces provide shelter and feeding areas. Their specialized rasping mouth and robust dentition are perfectly adapted for scraping wood and aufwuchs from submerged surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoyal Plecos are generally peaceful toward other community fish but can become territorial toward other bottom-dwelling fish and plecos, particularly when mature. Providing multiple caves, pieces of driftwood, and visual barriers can help reduce territorial competition. They are primarily nocturnal and often become much more active after the aquarium lights have gone out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–82°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 gallons or larger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 or more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoyal Plecos require a mature, well-filtered aquarium with excellent oxygenation and good water movement. Because they naturally inhabit flowing rivers, strong filtration and circulation are beneficial. Provide plenty of caves, rockwork, and especially natural driftwood, which is an important part of their natural environment and diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiet is particularly important with \u003cem\u003ePanaque\u003c\/em\u003e. Royal Plecos are specialized wood grazers and should have constant access to quality driftwood. Supplement this with algae and spirulina-based foods, sinking herbivore wafers, and vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, squash, and spinach. While primarily herbivorous, they will also consume small amounts of animal-based foods, which can be included as part of a varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mature aquarium with established biofilm and aufwuchs is ideal, but natural algae growth alone should not be considered sufficient nutrition. Regular supplemental feeding is important, particularly for wild-caught specimens as they acclimate to aquarium life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir peaceful nature makes Royal Plecos suitable for large community aquariums containing similarly sized, non-aggressive fish. They can be kept with peaceful tetras, larger Corydoras, other South American community fish, and appropriately sized tankmates. When housing multiple plecos, provide plenty of caves and separate territories to minimize competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this species can eventually reach a substantial adult size, prospective keepers should plan for its long-term space requirements rather than choosing a tank based on its juvenile size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cave spawner; males guard and care for eggs within suitable caves. Successful captive breeding is highly unlikely without a specialized setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Like Them\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIconic and highly desirable Royal Pleco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStriking cream and dark striped pattern\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImpressive heavily armored appearance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialized wood-grazing behavior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent centerpiece pleco for large aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community temperament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFascinating nocturnal behavior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly attractive as a wild-caught specimen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll livestock is carefully quarantined and monitored before being offered for sale at Saburai Aquatics.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Saburai Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small - 1.5-2\"","offer_id":48997564579993,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium - 3-4\"","offer_id":48997564612761,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large - 5-6\"","offer_id":48997564645529,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL - 7-8\"","offer_id":48997564678297,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0401\/1026\/0377\/files\/PLECO_L190_MARKED.png?v=1788926524","url":"https:\/\/saburaiaquatics.com\/products\/l190-royal-pleco","provider":"Saburai Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}