Blue-eyed Pleco

The blue-eyed pleco is one of the best-known Panaque species, with bright blue eyes that contrast with its dark, plain body. It lives only in Colombia, in the Magdalena and Cauca river basins. Adults reach 30 cm, and according to some sources even more.

Its habitat is under pressure, and the species has been collected heavily for the aquarium trade. For this reason it should be bought from a reliable source if possible. P. suttonorum from the Maracaibo basin in Venezuela is also blue-eyed and looks similar.

• At least 400 liters and 150 cm length for one adult.
• Large, hard roots; the fish scrapes them constantly.
• A strong canister filter or sump; it produces plenty of sawdust-like waste. 24–26°C.

A wood-eating species; gnawing on wood is part of its diet. Make blanched zucchini, cucumber, potato, spinach and vegetable sinking tablets the staple; protein-rich food should be given sparingly.

Peaceful toward other species; territorial toward its own kind and large plecos. It is nocturnal.

Good companions: Medium and large calm fish: large tetras, silver dollars, rainbowfish, medium-sized cichlids.

Avoid: Small aquariums, other large plecos (in limited space), delicate planted layouts.