Panaque schaeferi – Titanic Pleco – L203
Panaque schaeferi was officially described in 2010 by Lujan, Hidalgo & Stwart. Prior to the description, it was also known by the names Titanic Pleco, Volkswagen Pleco and the numbers L203, LDA65 and L090c. The name schaeferi is in honor of Scott A. Schaefer.
Officially the L numbers expire after a species has been given an official name. However, the L numbers often stick with the wholesalers and enthusiasts. You can find more about the L-number system in our article L-Numbers and LDA-numbers? The explanation!
Origin
The distribution area of Panaque schaeferi is in the upper Amazon. They are found in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. There they inhabit the Rio Ucayali, Rio Purus, Rio Pastaza and the Amazon.
Maximum size
At least 75cm but much larger in the wild: probably more than 100 centimeters.
The Aquarium
A generously sized aquarium with dim lighting, lots of driftwood (see food), and lots of decor (plants, stones) for shelter is ideal for this impressive, colorful, and potentially colossal large catfish. A young specimen can be temporarily kept in a smaller aquarium. Be it the only bottom dweller at least 60x30cm. With several bottom dwellers, I would keep an aquarium of at least 80x40cm. A fully grown animal needs at least an aquarium of quickly 200 × 70 centimeters. If you want to keep multiple copies, the minimum is 250 × 80 centimeters. This huge species can be quite territorial and seriously injure other bottom dwellers.
Panaque schaeferi does best in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, abundant with oxygen and with a lot of currents. A particularly powerful filtration system is indispensable, as this fish produces an enormous amount of waste due to its size and diet.
Temperature: 22-30°C
pH: 5.5-7.5
Diet
Just like the more famous Clown Plecostomus (and all other members of the genera Panaque / Panaqolus and Cochliodon), this species absolutely needs driftwood in the aquarium: in addition to grating off the organic layer that forms over time, this species feeds on the wood itself, possibly to aid digestion. Since wood is not particularly nutritious, the Titanic Panaque will consume large quantities and also produce a lot of waste.
In addition, this Panaque also accepts washed and unsprayed vegetables (peas, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, bell pepper, carrot, potato, yam, etc.) and algae and spirulina tablets. Furthermore, this species will not ignore protein-rich meat foods such as frozen and dry food, shrimp, and even pieces of fish, but a warning is in order: the digestive system of Panaque’s is not able to process large amounts of protein-rich meat food. Too much of this type of food can lead to serious digestion problems and even death in the long run!
Character
A generally peace-loving fish, which in most cases can be kept with fish of all sizes without problems: is suitable for a community tank, an aquarium with sensitive fish (Diskus, Angelfish), as well as a predatory fish aquarium (Rays, Cichlids, Arowanas, etc.)
During the day Panaque schaeferi usually hides, only to leave his hiding place at dusk in search of food. They are very shy as young fish: as the fish gets older and feels more at home in its tank, it will also show itself more often during the day.
This species can be somewhat aggressive towards its own species or similar fish.
Due to its large size and often somewhat intolerant behaviour towards conspecifics, it has not yet been possible to breed this species in captivity. This means that all commercially available specimens are originally wild-caught.
Comments
The Titanic Panaque is part of a group of similar species found throughout much of tropical South America. Regional differences are caused by variations in habitat, diet and chemical composition of the water.
The P. nigrolineatus complex consists of the following members:
• Panaque nigrolineatus (from the Rio Portuguesa, Venezuela)
• L027 (from the Rio Xingú, Rio Tapajós, Rio Jamanxim, Rio Tocantins, Rio Lageado, Brazil)
• L090 or Papa Panaque ( from the Rio Ucayali, Rio Madre Dos Dios, Peru)
• L190 (from the Rio Orinoco and the Llanos, Colombia, Venezuela)
• L191 or Dull-eyed Royal Pleco (from the Rio Caguán, Colombia)
• L203 or Titanic Panaque (from the Rio Ucayali, Peru)
• L330 or Watermelon Pleco (from the Rio Guejar, Colombia)
Video
Authors
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com
Copyright images
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com
