AquariumFish.com
Freshwater fishL-191 Broken Line Royal Pleco
L-191 Broken Line Royal Pleco
Couldn't load pickup availability
Royal plecos earn their name for their beautiful gold and green color patterns and the large crown-shaped body pattern. These were some of the first exotic plecos exported to the trade, and so they got first dibs on this grand "common" name (pardon the oxymoron). Variations of the royal pleco include the L-191 pleco, which is the same species but with fewer spots and more lines; hence it is referred to as the broken line pleco. Watermelon royal plecos, also called L-330 gold royals, again the same species, develop rounder heads and shorter tails in the wild, hence the "watermelon" shape.
All royal plecos are gentle giants that grow to a stunning show-quality 8 to 16 inches in the aquarium. Royal plecos are hardy scavengers and should be kept with a piece of driftwood for their home base.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Panaque cf. nigrolineatus (L-191) |
| Origin | Orinoco basin (Colombia and Venezuela) |
| Care Level | Moderate (grows large) |
| Temperament | Peaceful (territorial with other plecos) |
| Adult Size | Up to 12–16" |
| Lifespan | 15–20+ years |
| Diet | Herbivore (driftwood, algae wafers) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single |
| Shipping Size | Small: approx. 1½" · Medium: 2–4" · Large: 4–5" · Show: approx. 7–8" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Royal-type plecos eat wood, so give them plenty of driftwood, strong filtration and caves. They produce a lot of waste, so good filtration is important.
Feeding: Feed algae wafers and sinking pellets, and keep plenty of driftwood in the tank for them to rasp, since wood is part of their diet.
Tankmates: They do well with medium to large community fish and cichlids. Keep one per tank unless the tank is very large, since they are territorial with other plecos.
Good to know: Royal-type plecos are among the few fish that can actually digest wood. Plan for an adult-size tank before buying.
Share
