Royal Panaque

Adults grow to 43 cm in length. During the first 18 months they develop rapidly, reaching more than 20 cm, after which growth slows and they reach full size only at 7–10 years old. They closely resemble plecos and are closely related to them. The Royal Panaque's body is entirely covered in bony plates forming a hard armoured shield with numerous spines. The first rays of the fins are transformed into sharp spikes. Coloration consists of alternating bands of dark brown and light cream or white. The eyes are red. The mouth is adapted as a sucker, allowing the catfish to scrape nutrient biofilms from driftwood, fruits, leaves and plant stems.

This catfish comes from South American waters. It is found in the Orinoco basin and in some tributaries of the Amazon in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil. It inhabits both the main channels of large rivers and smaller waterways.

In the wild these fish often gather in large schools of tens or even hundreds. For a home aquarium, however, keep only one. The Royal Panaque is territorial and aggressive toward any bottom-dwelling fish, including its own kind. Its behaviour changes only when kept in a very large group. Fish of other species living in the water column or near the surface are safe; even small tetras will not interest this catfish. Thanks to its protective armour, the Royal Panaque can get along with some predators of comparable size.

One adult needs a minimum tank of 200 litres. Provide plenty of hiding places made from natural or artificial decorations. Any refuge—cave or grotto—must be open on both ends and spacious enough to prevent the catfish from getting stuck, a common problem. Royal Panaque damage live plants, so use floating species or fast-growing varieties with strong root systems. These catfish are undemanding and hardy, adapting well to different conditions. They tolerate a fairly wide range of temperatures and water chemistry. Standard care includes a weekly partial water change, removal of accumulated organic waste and regular equipment checks.

This species is omnivorous. Royal Panaque readily eat most common sinking dry foods, including flakes and pellets. They often finish leftovers uneaten by other tank inhabitants. Plant matter is essential to their diet. This can be specially made foods or fresh lettuce, spinach, courgette and other green vegetables. Before offering greens, blanch them or freeze them first to soften the plant fibres.

Successful breeding of Royal Panaque in home aquaria is rare. Most fish in trade are either wild-caught or from commercial fish farms.

With good care and a balanced diet the risk of disease in these fish is very low. If symptoms appear, they usually signal problems with care, so always check water quality and composition first.

When selecting a Royal Panaque, examine the fish carefully for external damage, sores or white coating on the body and fins. A healthy fish should be active in dim light, cling firmly to surfaces, and have clear, bulging eyes. Avoid fish with a sunken belly, which may indicate starvation or internal parasitic infections, common in wild-caught specimens. Since this species is territorial, buy a single fish unless your tank is large enough to hold a whole group, to prevent conflicts during acclimation.