Blue Eyed Panaque Care Guide – The King of Exotic Plecos

Introduction: The Holy Grail of Plecos

The Blue Eyed Panaque (Panaque suttonorum or Panaque cochliodon), often referred to as the Royal Blue Eye Pleco, is one of the most desirable and rare freshwater fish in the hobby. With a bold armored body, majestic fins, and shimmering electric-blue eyes, it commands attention in any large aquarium.

Not only is it beautiful, but it’s one of the few plecos that feeds on wood as a dietary staple. Due to its rarity, price, and care demands, the Blue Eyed Panaque is best suited for experienced aquarists and serious collectors.

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🔍 Species Overview

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🏠 Tank Requirements

🧱 Tank Size

• Minimum: 125 gallons

• Ideal: 180–300 gallons

This is a large-bodied pleco with a strong appetite and significant waste output. It needs swimming space, grazing zones, and robust filtration.

🪨 Aquascape

• Essential: Driftwood (soft varieties like Malaysian or Mopani)

• Sand or fine gravel substrate

• Rock caves, large hollow logs, or custom pleco hides

• Moderate lighting with shaded areas

Driftwood isn't optional—it is both habitat and primary food for this species.

🌊 Filtration & Flow

• Oversized canister or sump system

• Target 6–8x turnover per hour

• Moderate water flow and high oxygenation

• Frequent water changes (25–40% weekly)

Due to wood digestion, expect heavy organics and cloudiness if not filtered properly.

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💧 Water Parameters

Stable, clean water is essential. This species is sensitive to poor water quality, particularly as it matures.

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🍽️ Diet & Feeding

The Blue Eyed Panaque is xylophagous, meaning it consumes and digests wood. It should be provided with constant access to soft driftwood and supplemented with plant-based foods.

✅ Best Foods:

• Soft driftwood (essential)

• Repashy Morning Wood gel food

• Algae wafers (low protein)

• Blanched zucchini, cucumber, sweet potato

• Spirulina-based sinking pellets

🕒 Feed daily. Supplement with Repashy or similar soft foods smeared on wood or slate.

Avoid high-protein or meaty foods—they lead to intestinal issues and bloating.

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🧠 Behavior & Personality

• Peaceful with most fish, territorial with other plecos

• Primarily nocturnal, but active when comfortable

• Carves and excavates wood with powerful jaws

• Moves with confidence, not shy once settled

They may take time to acclimate, but once established, they become bold grazers that own their territory.

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👫 Tank Mates

Compatible with peaceful or semi-aggressive fish that do not compete for wood or bottom space.

✅ Compatible Tank Mates:

• Discus or Angelfish

• Tetras, Congo Tetras

• Silver Dollars

• Severums, peaceful large cichlids

• Bichirs or Rope Fish

• Non-aggressive catfish (non-pleco types)

❌ Avoid:

• Other plecos (especially wood eaters like Panaque, Pseudacanthicus)

• Fin-nippers or aggressive bottom dwellers

• Fast-feeding surface fish that outcompete at mealtime

Territory and food access are key—this species must rule its zone.

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🧬 Growth & Lifespan

• Max captive size: 14–18 inches

• Lifespan: 15–20 years

• Slow and steady grower

• Can take 2–3 years to reach full size

Longevity is matched only by its price and rarity—it’s a decades-long investment for serious aquarists.

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🌟 Educational Insight: Why Blue Eyes?

The electric blue eyes are caused by light-reflecting layers in the retina that help them see in low-light environments. These iridescent eyes are rare among freshwater species and entirely unique to this pleco group, making them highly prized.

Blue eyes also darken or brighten depending on health and stress, providing a visual cue to their well-being.

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💲 Why Buy from RobsAquatics.com?

At RobsAquatics.com, every Blue Eyed Panaque is:

• Ethically sourced from specialty South American exporters

• Quarantined and pellet-trained

• Acclimated to aquariums (not wild-only behavior)

• Shipped safely with a Live Arrival Guarantee

• Backed by expert support for rare fish keepers

We don’t sell blue-eyed "look-alikes"—only the true Blue Eyed Panaque, handled with care and precision.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

The Blue Eyed Panaque is more than a fish—it’s a living sculpture, a tank boss, and a mark of true aquarist dedication. Whether you're a pleco collector, a fan of rare species, or simply want something extraordinary, this species delivers.

Best for:

• Large, mature aquariums

• Planted or biotope tanks with wood

• Pleco collectors and advanced aquarists

• Display tanks centered around rare species

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👉 Order your Blue Eyed Panaque now from RobsAquatics.com and own the most stunning and elusive pleco in the hobby.

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