Desribe the fish called royal pleco?

Question

it is a fish that can be bought at a pet store

Answer 1

The Royal pleco is a wonderful fish, but it can also be a royal pain in the butt. Be careful of those cut n paste profiles, they are not always reliable. This is based on my experience with them:

Royal Pleco's seem to be claimed as peaceful, and they generally are, but they are also territorial and will fight for their territory. Be careful when mixing with other pleco's, catfish, cichlids, or any fish that might cause issues over its cave. This pleco has thick hide and can do much damage if it wants to.

Royal Pleco's are very, very messy. Driftwood isn't just appreciated by these fish, it is mandatory for their long term health. They work at wood like sandpaper which can cause a lot of 'saw dust' in the water.

They have huge appetites, especially when young, and need to be fed plenty of veggies. They are also poop machines in return and need a tank with excellent filtration. They will keep wood perfectly clear of algae, but tend to ignore algae on the glass and other decorations, and they are NOT to be bought for the purposes of cleaning algae.

Otherwise I've found this fish to be quite hardy. Because of the size they grow and the waste they produce I wouldn't recommend one for a tank less then 75 gallons. They need a secure cave or two to hide in to feel most at ease.

While they are nocturnal they will, like most other fish, appear during the day once they are comfortable in the environment, especially if you put food out for them.

Answer 2

As attractive as the Royal Pleco is, it is not a fish for beginners. They aren't exactly a hardy fish, and be difficult to adjust to your aquarium conditions. Panaque nigrolineatus, as the fish is known scientifically, can command prices of over $100 in local pet shops, depending on the size of the individual fish.

This Catfish should be provided with a large aquarium and plenty of caved and rocky areas for hiding. They generally lie around during the day, while feeding at night. If it's a tank-cleaning fish you're looking for, there are more efficient specimens out there than the Royal Pleco. Plants and driftwood are greatly appreciated by the fish.

The Royal Pleco, if small and kept in a tank of messy-eating fish, will usually pick up its fair share of food off the substrate. They should always be provided with sinking foods such as store-bought pellets and algae tablets, especially as they grow larger. Zuccinni strapped to a rock or clipped to the side of the aquarium is a good method of feeding.

Keep the water's pH level around Neutral or possibly a little on the alkaline side for the Royal Pleco. Most tropical aquarium temperatures are fine. Clean, well-filtered water is essential to the fish's health.

Interopercular spines, which the fish will sometimes use for fighting, are longer in males. Breeding in the home aquarium has yet to be recorded according to documentation.

Answer 3

Royal Pleco

Answer 4

Royal Pleco
Panaque nigrolineatus
Temperment Sociability Min. Tank Availability Area
Beware Solitary 45 gallons Common Bottom

As attractive as the Royal Pleco is, it is not a fish for beginners. They aren't exactly a hardy fish, and be difficult to adjust to your aquarium conditions. Panaque nigrolineatus, as the fish is known scientifically, can command prices of over $100 in local pet shops, depending on the size of the individual fish.

This Catfish should be provided with a large aquarium and plenty of caved and rocky areas for hiding. They generally lie around during the day, while feeding at night. If it's a tank-cleaning fish you're looking for, there are more efficient specimens out there than the Royal Pleco. Plants and driftwood are greatly appreciated by the fish.

The Royal Pleco, if small and kept in a tank of messy-eating fish, will usually pick up its fair share of food off the substrate. They should always be provided with sinking foods such as store-bought pellets and algae tablets, especially as they grow larger. Zuccinni strapped to a rock or clipped to the side of the aquarium is a good method of feeding.

Keep the water's pH level around Neutral or possibly a little on the alkaline side for the Royal Pleco. Most tropical aquarium temperatures are fine. Clean, well-filtered water is essential to the fish's health.

Interopercular spines, which the fish will sometimes use for fighting, are longer in males. Breeding in the home aquarium has yet to be recorded according to documentation.

some pictures:
http://fins.actwin.com/fresh-pics/royal-pleco.jpg
http://joshday.com/images/monsterplec.jpg
http://www.exoticfinds.net/images/l27-royal-pleco-Xingu.gif

Answer 5

Pterygoplichthys (Liposarcus) multuradiatus


Overview:
These peaceful and hardy fish have been in the hobby for a long time. Growing quite large and showing a high level of intelligence, the Pleco is sure to remain an aquatic favorite.

Quick stats:


Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size: up to 20 inches! (50.0 cm)
Tank: 48 inches when young, 72 + when adult
Strata: bottom
PH: 6.5 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to medium. dh Range 1.0-30.0
Temperature: 72 to 86°F (23-30°C)

Classification:

Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genera: Pterygoplichthys



Common name:

Pleco, Plec

Distribution

Amazonia, in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.


General Body Form:
The Pleco is elongated and has an almost flat belly and a convex back area. The most prominent feature is the large Dorsal fin, which has one large ray and seven, soft rays, which can be easily seen when it is extended. The tail fin is a mirror of itself with the lower edge and upper edge both being identical. The mouth is ventral and large and has on pair of barbells. They can grow quite large but usually stay smaller in all but the biggest aquaria.


Coloration:
The overall coloration appears to be a dark Brown. The upper-side is Brown with dark Brown spots and often has up to five wide dark transverse bands. The belly is creamy white, without markings The fins are also Brown, with rows of dark Brown spots between the rays. The nose has a thin band connecting the nostrils.


Maintenance:
The Plecos are all twilight animals and are most active at this time. Kept in a well large well planted community aquarium with pieces of driftwood for scraping. A soft substrate is also beneficial as some like to burrow. A diet high in vegetable matter is essential to their health and can be supplemented with Romaine lettuce or boiled spinach. Too much animal matter in the diet can cause digestive problems. They generally leave small fish alone, but occasionally will eat any that present themselves to them. They are hardy and undemanding in the water parameters, but will do best in soft water with a temperature in the mid seventies. The pleco is very long lived and will make a fantastic addition to any tank.


Biotope:
Calm, slow moving waters of the amazon and its tributaries.


Breeding:
Breeding of members in the family Loricariidae has been done fairly regularly. The aquarium should have tubes or clay pipes with a fairly large diameter. The male will clean the site and will fan water over the eggs and fry. At a temperature of about 70f the eggs will hatch in about nine days. The fry will eat small flake food as well as baby brine shrimp and algae scrapings. They are not the easiest to raise and a bare bottom tank is best.

Answer 6

Scientific Name: Panaque nigrolineatus
Family: Loricariidae
Origin: Southern Colombia
Adult Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Social: Peaceful, suitable for community tanks
Lifespan: 10+ years
Tank Level: Bottom dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallon
Diet: Herbivore, prefers algae
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Difficult
pH: 6.5 - 7.5
Hardness: 2-15 dGH
Temperature: 72-79 F (22-26 C)