L 190 Catfish - Panaque cf. nigrolineatus

The interesting blackline loricariid (Panaque cf. nigrolineatus) L190 or Royal loricariid, Red-eyed loricariid or Striped loricariid comes from Colombia and Venezuela in South America. Its pattern is very unusual: the striking red eyes of young Panaque cf. nigrolineatus contrast nicely with the dark line pattern on a light background. The caudal fin is dark with a nice pattern. The blackline loricariid can grow to over 40 cm in length, and compared to its body, its head appears quite large.

The compatible, large-growing Blackline Loricariid is a group fish and should be kept with a minimum of 3 specimens. The peaceful Panaque cf. nigrolineatus will fit well in an appropriately sized community tank with fish that have similar water requirements. The Blackline Panaque is a popular by-fish for Discus and other South American perch because they eat algae well. The blackline panaque is also compatible with shrimp. For a smaller group of 3-4 animals we recommend an aquarium from 150 cm. Since the Panaque cf. nigrolineatus can become really large, a group of older animals should be placed in an aquarium from 300 cm length.

The aquarium footprint needs to be well structured for keeping the Blackline Loricariid. Blackline Loricariids need dark areas and like to hide under roots or slates, but there are also specimens that like to lie in caves. Soft woody roots are gnawed on with enthusiasm and often even shredded - they are part of the main diet of the wood-eating loricariid catfish and should therefore always be replenished. The loricariid catfish also likes to eat algae and plants. By the way, the blackline catfish is considered an excellent algae eater!

As a white water fish, the blackline catfish does not like water that is too soft. It tolerates even medium hard to hard water in the aquarium, but a high oxygen content is important. Clean water with a low organic load also plays a big role for this great catfish. Use a diffuser, oxydator or bubbling stone to give your loricariid catfish enough oxygen. The aquarium temperature should be 24-29 °C, the pH 6.5 to 7.5.

The sexes in the Blackline Panaque are difficult to distinguish. The males form spines up to 20 mm long behind the gill covers - the so called odontodes -, but from time to time females with this characteristic can be found.

From the aquaristics only few offsprings of Panaque cf. nigrolineatus are known. Breeding in the aquarium is considered difficult, but has been mastered several times.

Panaque cf. nigrolineatus is a wood eater, which always needs soft wood in the aquarium. It also finds aquarium plants and algae tasty. Blackline loricariids need vegetable food like vegetables in the aquarium, but they also like to eat special catfish sticks and some frozen food.