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Species profile

Watermelon Royal Plecostomus L330

Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae

Common names: Watermelon Royal Plecostomus L330, L330

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 40 cm

Typical adult length 30–40 cm.

Up to 40 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil
  • See all stock from Colombia
  • See all stock from Venezuela

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • Mature planted aquarium setups
  • Specialist shrimp keepers

Think carefully if

  • The tank is newly cycled
  • Water conditions change frequently

Watermelon Royal Plecostomus L330 is a South American loricariid represented by L330. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A wood-associated loricariid currently identified as Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, with a broad sucker mouth and a code-specific pattern of bands, lines, or mottling.

Use the L-number identification L330 together with the current assignment Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males usually develop a broader head and stronger cheek or pectoral odontodes. Females are generally fuller through the abdomen when carrying eggs.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 2,400–3,000 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 600–900 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
600 litres
Minimum tank length
180 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
1
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
Moderate
Planting preference
Lightly planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide at least 600 litres and a tank length of about 180 cm or more. Use strong biological filtration, high gas exchange, stable hardscape, multiple caves, and clear feeding areas. Prevent waste from accumulating beneath wood and rocks.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular and closely associated with caves, rock, wood, and the substrate.

Can be kept singly. A pair or group requires several appropriately sized caves and enough floor area for every adult to feed without being trapped.

Mature males commonly defend caves and favoured feeding areas from similarly shaped loricariids.

Choose peaceful fish with matching temperature and current needs. Avoid crowding territorial plecos into the same floor area, and do not combine large predatory forms with small or delicate bottom dwellers.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
24–29 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–18
KH
0–8
TDS
30–300
Stability importance
Critical

Maintain stable clean water with strong oxygenation. Warm water, protein-rich food, wood waste, and crowded hardscape can rapidly reduce oxygen and degrade water quality.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to temperature and conductivity changes. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate, and inspect caves and rockwork for trapped waste.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Herbivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Aquarium-safe driftwood and wood biofilmProvide several wood pieces for grazing and digestive fibre.
  • High-fibre wood-eater waferUse as the prepared staple.
  • Blanched courgette or squashOffer supplementary vegetables and remove leftovers.
  • Occasional frozen insect larvaeUse small portions as supplementary protein.

A high-fibre wood and aufwuchs grazer requiring driftwood, plant matter, and a complete sinking diet.

Feed after lights dim and distribute food near every occupied shelter. Confirm that subordinate fish eat and remove rich leftovers before they affect water quality.

Breeding

Breeding type
Cave Spawner, Egg Layer
Breeding difficulty
Specialist
Breeding temperature
26.5 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs, with clutch size depending on species and female size.
Incubation
7 days
Parental care
Paternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmProvides continuous grazing after fry leave the cave.
  • Fine powdered sinking foodFeed tiny portions close to shelter several times daily.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpUse as supplementary protein once fry can take moving prey.

A paternal cave spawner. The female deposits adhesive eggs in a tight shelter, after which the male guards and fans the clutch and yolk-sac fry. Successful breeding requires a correctly sized cave, clean oxygen-rich water, and compatible adults.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, Brazil, Colombia, South America, Venezuela
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Freshwater Stream, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Species-Only Aquarium, Very Large Freshwater Aquarium
Audience level
Specialist

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Panaque
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Panaque sp. (L330), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Weber’s Plecostomus L167

Hypostomus weberi

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
18.8–25 cm
Minimum tank
300 litres
Temperature
22–29 °C

Werneke’s Peckoltia L243

Peckoltia wernekei

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
9–12 cm
Minimum tank
90 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

Wolverine Plecostomus L017

Hopliancistrus wolverine

Care level
Advanced
Adult size
11.2–15 cm
Minimum tank
100 litres
Temperature
25–30 °C

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