Loricariidae

royal plec

Panaque nigrolineatus

Forty Three Centimeters Catfish from the Brazilian Coast

• Black
• Tropical
• Lower river
• Southern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• South America
• Medium
• Tropical fish

Panaque nigrolineatus, the royal panaque, royal plec, or royal pleco, is an herbivorous freshwater armored catfish native to Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, where it occurs in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. It is known for being one of the few xylophagous fish, and is able to survive for a long period of time on a wood-only diet. It is also a popular aquarium fish.