L239 Blue Panaque

K

koldsoup

AC Members
Jan 12, 2010
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Brooklyn, New York
Real Name
Kevin
So I was at the LFS today. They have the largest variety of fancy plecos that I have seen in my area. But today, I saw a pleco that I didn't see there last time. I thought it was a Blue Phantom at first, but it turns out that it was a Blue Panaque. I would say it was around 2-3".

I did some research when I came home. Different sources suggest different maximum sizes. PlanetCatfish says they reach a max of 3.2" and some other source said they get to 1' (?).

I have a 10g with some baby longfin albino bristlenose plecos. I plan to get a 20g or 30g soon though. I do have a larger tank, but I have oscars in there, so that wouldn't work...

So my questions are:
What is the maximum size for L239? as there is mixed information out there.
What is the minimum tank size for L239?
Besides the usual cucumbers or zucchini, do they have any other special diet needs? I read somewhere that they do not eat wood. But seeing as they are Panaques, I find that strange.
Would it be okay to temporarily house them with some albino bristlenoses that are ~1" (from head to end of tail) or will they get attacked?


Also, does anyone have any breeding info on them? PlanetCatfish says that they have been bred in captivity before but there's really little info out there. Any sexing info?
 
They are not really a panaque. They are baryancistrus beggini. They are big vegetarians. And they are an extremely sensitive pleco. Many people don't get them through QT let along ever get them to breed. If I remember correctly, I think it's inkyjenn on this forum that has one. They max out between 5-6". If there are any tips on breeding them, you're apt to find it on one of the pleco forums. I have read that they are extremely territorial toward other plecos. I would think with a long gut typical of veggie eating plecos, they will need some driftwood to rasp to aid digestion. Gorgeous pleco!
 
So that's a nono as tankmates with the baby bristlenoses?

I read that they're very fragile too, but I have pretty good filtration so hopefully it'll work out.
 
I think the sensitivity issue has more to do with acclimating. I believe they are all wild caught. They've been through enormous stress and in some cases starvation before they end up in a store tank. Find out where the store got them. Find out how long have they been in the store. Find out if the store owner has treated them for parasites. Parasites are pretty much a given for wild caught plecos. And take a good look at the belly. If it is sunken in, stay away from it. It is too far gone to have any success with.

You may be able to keep the young pleco with young bristlenoses if you provide lots of driftwood and hiding spots and the tank is big enough they don't have to see each other constantly. When approaching maturity, if theres another male pleco in the tank, you may be in for lots of fighting.
 
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