Freshwater Algae Eaters for Tropical Tanks: Blue Eyed Plecostomus
FreshwaterAlgae Eaters for Tropical Tanks: Blue Eyed Plecostomus – Another of the earliest kept members of
the Loricariidae family is this quite remarkable appearing Panaque one of two
similar blue-eye kinds, one from the Rio Magdalena Colombia, perhaps Panaque
cochliodon, (Steindachner 1879) and Panaque suttonorum from the Maracaibo basin
Venezuela.
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Freshwater Algae Eaters for Tropical Tanks: Blue Eyed Plecostomus
That is a little mystery on the
identification of those two species particularly P.suttonorum and Shane Linder,
who resides in Venezuela, has kindly furnished me with additional info on this
particular very subject.
This species grows to 16
inches. It is closely related to the most popular plecostomus catfish kept as
an algae eater in many aquaria, but is immediately distinguished by having
bright, turquoise coloured eyes and being dark gray to black. As with other species
of the Panaque genus, P. cochliodon feeds primarily on submerged wood[1].
It is best to keep one
specimen of the species in the tank as they may be quite quarrelsome with their
very own kind. Supply hiding places by adding rocks or man-made caverns. The
water must have a good current and be well oxygenated to keep this fish
content. One of having Panaque cochliodon of the most crucial aspects is to
provide wood this fish really does eat it.
Feeding
This fish is Omnivorous.
A basic diet of large pellets, sticks, and wafers together with balls of
marketplace shrimp, blood worms, frozen brine shrimp, or mussels is easily
accepted. Sometimes feed vegetables additionally such as canned green beans,
kale, spinach, and cucumber which have been rinsed well.
Compatibility
There are differing
stories on their compatibility with other tank prisoners. You will read in some
literature that they are a peaceful species and others, that they may be
somewhat quarrelsome.
I might personally keep
just one species per tank and if tankmates are justified, large characins in
the upper layer for example the African Congo tetra and probably Corydoras
species would do all right as they wouldn't be seen as a threat. Supply caves
of some sort for his or her well being and also to make them feel more safe in
their environment, also supply good water movement in the tank as they do come
from oxygen-rich waters.
You'll most likely find
that you can tame this species to be able to get food literally from the hand
at feeding time. All-in-all a rather striking if challenging to keep species in
the big Loricariidae family.
Conclusion
The storyline of the
blue eyed pleco is not all doom and gloom. Miles remarked sixty years back that
P. cochliodon was one of the most widely distributed fishes in the Magdalena
drainage.
Thriving populations of
the fish are sure to exist in lots of tributaries of the Rios Magdalena and
Cauca throughout northern Colombia. In the mid-90s narcotrafficking
organizations making commercial collection hopeless and until recently, most of
those places are under control of various paramilitary groups.
Perhaps, in the long
term, this situation was truly best for old blue-eyes along with the respite
from commercial collection let populations of the fish to develop and
eventually re-colonize areas from where they have been extirpated.
Procreation
Not been realized in the
aquarium as far as I am conscious. Would need an extremely big tank to ease
enducement that is spawning . Successful reproduction has not been reported in
captivity. Due to their large size, they're thought to be river bank cave
spawners.
Extra Information
This species is growing
increasingly uncommon and exceptionally expensive. Due to its substantial
ultimate size that is ’, regular partial water changes and suitable filtration
are a must.
