L330 Panaque Albomaculatus

The Panaque albomaculatus, commonly known as the Spotted Panaque or L330, is a species of sucker-mouth catfish native to the Amazon River basin in South America. Known for its unique appearance and interesting behavior, this pleco is particularly admired for its striking white or yellowish spots against a dark brown or black body. It’s a fascinating addition to any aquarium, especially for aquarists interested in wood-eating catfish. However, due to its specific care needs, this species requires a well-maintained tank and careful attention to its diet and habitat.

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size:
  • Panaque albomaculatus can grow up to 8-10 inches (20–25 cm), so a minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended for one individual. Larger tanks (100 gallons or more) are ideal, especially if you plan to keep them with other large or territorial species.
• Tank Setup:
  • Substrate: Use a soft, sand or fine gravel substrate, as it is gentle on the Panaque’s barbels and bottom-dwelling habits.
  • Decor: This pleco is famous for its wood-eating behavior, so provide plenty of driftwood or other pieces of wood for it to graze on. Wood also helps maintain their natural diet and promotes their health.
  • Plants: Live plants are generally safe, but you should avoid delicate plants that might get uprooted by the Panaque’s scavenging behavior. Hardy plants such as Java fern, Anubias, and Amazon sword are good choices.
  • Lighting: Moderate lighting is fine. These fish are not particularly sensitive to light, but shaded areas will give them security.
• Water Flow:
  • Moderate to strong flow is best. Panaques naturally inhabit rivers with a current, so a canister filter or powerhead that generates a steady flow will keep the water well-oxygenated and clean. Just ensure the current is not too strong, as it could stress the fish.

Water Parameters

• Temperature:
  • The ideal temperature for Panaque albomaculatus is between 75°F and 82°F (24°C–28°C).
• pH:
  • They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
• Hardness:
  • Panaques thrive in soft to moderately hard water (4–12 dGH).
• Ammonia/Nitrite:
  • Keep ammonia and nitrite levels at 0 ppm. High levels of either can lead to stress and health problems.
• Nitrate:
  • Maintain nitrate levels below 20 ppm to ensure a safe environment for your pleco.

Diet

The Panaque albomaculatus is a wood-eating pleco, which means that it has a unique feeding behavior compared to many other aquarium fish. While it is omnivorous, its primary source of food in the wild is driftwood, which it scrapes for algae and other microorganisms.

• Wood:
  • Driftwood is essential for this pleco, as it provides the fiber and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Choose hardwoods like Malaysian driftwood, cherry wood, or mopani wood. You can also supplement with wood-based blocks or specifically designed wood chips available at pet stores.
• Vegetables:
  • In addition to wood, feed blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes. These provide additional fiber and nutrients.
• Algae:
  • Algae is a natural part of their diet, so algae wafers can be added to provide a supplement. They will also graze on natural algae that grows on the tank’s surfaces, including glass and decorations.
• Protein:
  • Offer high-quality sinking pellets, frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and occasionally live foods such as daphnia or earthworms.
• Feeding Frequency:
  • Feed your Panaque once a day or every other day, ensuring that the food is consumed in 3–5 minutes. Since they are nocturnal feeders, you might want to feed them during the evening or night.

Behavior and Compatibility

• Temperament:
  • Panaque albomaculatus is generally peaceful and can be kept with a variety of community fish. However, it is a territorial species and may show aggression toward other bottom dwellers or plecos.
  • It can become somewhat shy, especially in new environments, and may spend much of its time hiding in caves or among plants and wood. With time, it will adjust to the tank and become more active, especially during feeding time.
  • Panaques do well with non-aggressive fish that occupy other areas of the tank, such as tetras, rainbowfish, corydoras, or peaceful cichlids.
• Tankmates:
  • Avoid housing with aggressive or territorial species that may bully the Panaque. It’s also best not to keep them with smaller or fin-nipping fish.
  • Good tankmates include:
    • Tetras (such as Neon Tetras or Rummy Nose Tetras)
    • Rainbowfish
    • Larger peaceful catfish (e.g., Corydoras, Glass Catfish)
    • Angelfish or other peaceful cichlids
    • Avoid small or fast-moving fish that may outcompete the Panaque for food.

Breeding

Breeding the Panaque albomaculatus in captivity can be challenging but not impossible. The species has been successfully bred in well-maintained aquariums.

1. Breeding Tank Setup:
   • The breeding tank should be large enough to accommodate a pair, with plenty of driftwood and hiding places. Keep water parameters stable with soft, slightly acidic water and a temperature around 80°F (27°C).
   • It’s recommended to have a smooth, flat surface (like a large rock or piece of slate) for the female to lay her eggs.
2. Conditioning:
   • To condition the pair for breeding, provide a high-protein diet (live foods, sinking pellets) along with wood to ensure they are in peak condition.
   • Feed them a varied diet for 2–4 weeks before attempting to breed.
3. Spawning:
   • The male will lead the female to a flat surface to lay eggs, which he will fertilize. The male is typically very protective of the eggs.
   • After hatching, the fry will initially remain attached to the surface, where the male will guard them. The fry will begin to eat algae and biofilm once they are free-swimming.

Common Challenges

1. Wood Availability:
   • Wood-eating fish like the Panaque albomaculatus require constant access to suitable driftwood. Without it, they may suffer from malnutrition or digestive issues. Always provide enough driftwood or a supplementary wood source to avoid problems.
2. Water Quality:
   • Like all fish, Panaque albomaculatus requires clean water. Regular water changes are necessary to maintain optimal water parameters and to reduce stress, which can lead to health problems. Ensure the tank is properly filtered to handle waste.
3. Territoriality:
   • This species can be territorial, especially when other bottom-dwelling fish are in the tank. Ensure that there is enough space for everyone and that territories do not overlap excessively.

Care Summary

Aspect	Details
Tank Size	Minimum 75 gallons, larger preferred for groups or tankmates
Water Parameters	pH 6.0–7.5, 75°F–82°F, soft to moderately hard water
Diet	Wood (driftwood), vegetables, algae wafers, high-protein sinking pellets
Temperament	Peaceful, territorial with other bottom-dwelling fish
Lifespan	10–15 years or more

The Panaque albomaculatus is a fascinating species for aquarists who are prepared to meet its needs. By providing it with a well-maintained tank, a proper diet, and plenty of driftwood, you can ensure a healthy, thriving pleco that will add character and beauty to your aquarium.