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Andreas Tanke (3)

Description: The differences between the Panaqolus and the Panaque genera is that the latter has an oval shaped mouth and the jaws have very large spatulate teeth with a single cusp, arranged in a v form and Panaqolus have a small number of spatulate teeth and are also a smaller genus. Aquarium Care: Peaceful in the aquarium but not suitable for planted tanks as they are plant eaters. Tank set-up should contain wood of some description as the Panaques need this in their diet. Plants will not work too well as they will be eaten so plenty of wood scattered around the tank with a few caves for spawning activities on a sand or small rounded gravel bed will do just fine. Provide strong aeration due to the higher temperatures involved. Diet: All Panaques and also the Panaqolus genera digest wood and the aufwuchs (organisms and detritus coating rocks, wood and plants in an aquatic environment often fed on by fish specialised as scrapers) within so would need this in an aquarium set-up. Feed also vegetable foods such as cucumber, courgette (zucchini) and sinking tablets. Reproduction: Cave spawners with the male looking after the eggs and fry. Sexual Differences: Males have long interopercular spines and their body is adorned with hair-like spines.

L469, Western Tiger Pleco

None

Loricariidae

South America: Amazon, Juruá, Moa.

20.0cm (8ins)

25-28°c (77-83°f)

6.0-7.0.

Seidel, I. 2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen, Germany 208 p.