Origin: Wild Colombia
Locale: Rio Orinoco
Diet: Omnivore and algae grazer, seems to prefer a more veggie-based diet than many of its close relatives
Adult Size: 3″+
Recommended Tank Size: 20 Gallon+
Compatibility: Peaceful toward most tankmates, may be territorial towards other plecoes
Preferred Water Parameters
pH: 6.2 – 7.2
Temp: 76-82F
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: <30ppm
OVERVIEW
The Blue Panaque is relatively new to the hobby. Contrary to its common name, it is actually not a panaque at all, and it is not usually very blue, either. The body typically ranges from dark brown to a charcoal color, and the fins will have blue hues to them. Some may have more blue than others; their coloration varies greatly.
In the wild, they live in flowing rivers, making them intolerable in captivity to waste build up and dirty or not properly oxygenated water. Their substrate should be smooth gravel and include some larger rocks as well, and driftwood should furnish the tank for them to hide in and graze off of. They will live peacefully with many tankmates but males are aggressive towards their own kind and other similar looking plecos.
They are not as herbivorous as most plecos and must also be supplemented with meaty preparations as well. They should be fed high quality sinking carnivorous wafers and algae wafers, live and frozen bloodworms, and other nutritious foods.
Photo By: Shauna Tranter
Origin: Wild Colombia
Locale: Rio Orinoco
Diet: Omnivore and algae grazer, seems to prefer a more veggie-based diet than many of its close relatives
Adult Size: 3″+
Recommended Tank Size: 20 Gallon+
Compatibility: Peaceful toward most tankmates, may be territorial towards other plecoes
Preferred Water Parameters
pH: 6.2 – 7.2
Temp: 76-82F
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: <30ppm
OVERVIEW
The Blue Panaque is relatively new to the hobby. Contrary to its common name, it is actually not a panaque at all, and it is not usually very blue, either. The body typically ranges from dark brown to a charcoal color, and the fins will have blue hues to them. Some may have more blue than others; their coloration varies greatly.
In the wild, they live in flowing rivers, making them intolerable in captivity to waste build up and dirty or not properly oxygenated water. Their substrate should be smooth gravel and include some larger rocks as well, and driftwood should furnish the tank for them to hide in and graze off of. They will live peacefully with many tankmates but males are aggressive towards their own kind and other similar looking plecos.
They are not as herbivorous as most plecos and must also be supplemented with meaty preparations as well. They should be fed high quality sinking carnivorous wafers and algae wafers, live and frozen bloodworms, and other nutritious foods.
Photo By: Shauna Tranter