Panaque nigrolineatus
Panaque nigrolineatus
The Panaque nigrolineatus (Panaque nigrolineatus) is a peaceful fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 450 litres (119 US gallons), water held at 73-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Panaque nigrolineatus Tank Setup
Plan for at least 450 litres (119 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 73-82°F with a pH around 6-7.5. They grow to around 43 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Panaque nigrolineatus Eat?
They're bottom feeders, so give them sinking wafers, tablets, or frozen treats like bloodworm once the lights go down. Flakes that never reach the bottom leave them hungry even when the tank looks well-fed.
Panaque nigrolineatus Tank Mates
Royal Pleco; heavy wood-eater producing enormous waste. Driftwood essential. Very large; needs spacious tank. The Panaque nigrolineatus is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 43 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Panaque nigrolineatus Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Panaque nigrolineatus - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Panaque nigrolineatus need?
Panaque nigrolineatus need a tank of at least 450 litres (119 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Panaque nigrolineatus need?
Keep them at 73-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Panaque nigrolineatus eat?
Panaque nigrolineatus are bottom feeders. Give them sinking wafers, tablets, and frozen foods that settle on the substrate, ideally after the lights go off. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Panaque nigrolineatus good for beginners?
Panaque nigrolineatus are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Panaque nigrolineatus
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 450 litres (119 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Panaque nigrolineatus
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
