AquariumFish.com
Freshwater fishL-90 Papa Pleco
L-90 Papa Pleco
Couldn't load pickup availability
Papa plecos earn their name for their size, which at full maturity can be large, with long, flowing lyre tail filaments. It will take a few years for the catfish to grow that large, but even at full maturity these fish are gentle tank mates. Papa plecos are also known as lyre tail royal plecos and share the same coloration. The difference is that papa plecos all come from Peru and have a long lyre tail. Check Google to see these mature creatures. Pictured is a 2-inch juvenile (who happens to be in detention). Large and jumbo papa plecos have beautiful long stringers off the tail.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Panaque bathyphilus (L-090) |
| Origin | Ucayali and Amazon rivers, Peru |
| Care Level | Moderate (grows large) |
| Temperament | Peaceful (territorial with other plecos) |
| Adult Size | Up to 12–16" (plus tail filaments) |
| Lifespan | 15–20+ years |
| Diet | Herbivore (driftwood, algae wafers) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single |
| Shipping Size | Medium: 2–3" body · Jumbo: 8" body |
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
